I returned to Sacramento yesterday from what was an amazing trip to the Big Apple. The theme of the trip was “Service.” On Thursday, September 10th, in the heart of Times Square, I joined New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and 14 other mayors from around the country to help launch the I PARTICIPATE and “Cities of Service” campaigns. The Entertainment Industry Foundation’s I PARTICIPATE aims to significantly promote volunteerism nationally through scripted messages, PSA’s and inspirational stories on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and other networks. Over 60 shows will emphasize volunteerism from October 19th to the 25th.
“Cities of Service” is a response to the late Senator Edward Kennedy’s Serve America Act. 15 mayors representing large and small cities throughout the US signed a “Declaration of Service”, committing to: recruit, identify and place volunteers in high need areas, share best practices with other local city governments, encourage other mayors to participate in the national effort and keep volunteerism and service relevant in all arenas so that we may achieve the goals of the Serve America Act.
As you know, service has always been close to my heart, which is why I launched Volunteer Sacramento in January in alignment with President Obama’s “United We Serve” initiative. As I listened to Tyler Perry, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher voice their passion about volunteerism, I was proud that what began as a goal for the Capitol City was spreading across the country.
Friday Morning 9.11.09
I stepped out of my hotel early Friday morning to find that the weather was as somber as New York, which was mourning the nearly 3,000 innocent people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
I arrived at Ground Zero to find thousands gathered, undeterred by the rain, for the 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony. Families of victims recited the names of every person who lost a life on that tragic day eight years ago.
Though there was a spirit of mourning, it was coupled with a spirit of service. Mayor Bloomberg’s words resonated with me as well as those who attended: "From this day forward, we will safeguard the memories of those who died by rekindling the spirit of service that lit our city with hope and helped keep us strong."
While at Ground Zero, I also had the opportunity to speak with New York Governor Patterson as well as Vice President Biden, who shared the story of his own loss of a wife and daughter in a tragic car accident. Both were excited about the work we are doing in Sacramento, namely our volunteer initiative.
Friday Evening 9.11.09
The theme of service continued into the evening at New York’s esteemed Beacon Theatre for the first annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, headlined by a keynote speech from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Other speakers and performers included Jimmy Fallon, Gary Sinese, Gov. Patterson and The Roots – but it was the heroes of 9/11 who were the special guests.
The highlight of my evening was the story of a Connecticut woman who lost her husband in the 9/11 attacks. Each week her husband perfunctorily landscaped their front lawn, meticulously covering every square inch of the lawn, flowers and shrubbery. A couple weeks after his death, she looked out of the window one Saturday to see a man mowing her lawn, watering the flowers and pruning the bushes. The gentleman refused to take money. He returned the next week, and the week after that and the week after that. For seven years, until the woman moved from Connecticut, the man landscaped her front yard – never missing a week.
Even in mourning, the woman recognized the importance of service. She shared her story to remind everyone of the tremendous positive impact a simple act of kindness can have on someone who is dealing with the most trying of times.
Friday Night 9.11.09
There was no rest for the weary in the city that never sleeps. After a quick dinner I rushed to Madison Square Garden for Jay-Z’s “Answer the Call” concert that benefited the families of New York police and firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11.
I’ve been to some amazing concerts over the years, namely Michael Jackson and Madonna – and I must say, his performance didn’t eclipse them, but Jay-Z certainly inked his name into the same sentence.
Sean “Jay-Z” Carter performed duets with Kanye West, Rihanna and John Mayer. Beyonce wowed fans with her hit “Diva” and Sean “Diddy” Combs joined Jay-Z for “Encore.”
Never forgetting the significance of the date, Jay-Z called for a moment of silence for the victims and reminded the 20,000 attendees that from tragedy we will always triumph. As the band played the final song, “Forever Young”, the faces of the 2,976 innocent people who lost their lives scrolled up the stage’s backdrop.
During the 48 hours I was there, the people of New York City exhibited their passionate commitment to service. I take pride in knowing that we are doing the same in Sacramento.
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