Our AZIFM 9/11 event was a combined effort inspired by the Unity Church of Mesa, Sant Nirankari Mission, Islamic Education Foundation (IEFAZ), Resurrection Street Ministry (RSM), American Muslin Women’s Association (AMWA), Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP), A New Leaf and hosted by the Arizona Interfaith Movement and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Mike Wold and Betty McGee staffed our AZIFM booth, helping write Thank You cards for the National Guard and adding uplifting messages to snacks for individuals experiencing homelessness at SVdP.
- 500 volunteers came to serve at the event
- 2380 service hours were contributed
- 1086 total number of volunteers who put it all together
- A total of 19 service projects were completed, reaching the homeless, refugees, veterans, women escaping violence, children’s crisis centers, the National Guard, individuals facing food insecurity, and those reentering society after incarceration.
We took this opportunity to offer our community resource information for food boxes, shelters, tax services, veteran care etc. We also offered on site workshops for family history, employment, and classes for those wished to learn English as a second language.
We have a lot of stories that came out of this event but here are a few of our favorites:
- We created a Children’s Service Corner so even the littlest hands could help bless our community. With face painting as the highlight, the kids were excited to serve.
- Both the IEFAZ and AMWA requested that gently used clothing for their service booth be sorted, boxed, and prepared for refugee families. Our community gathered a large amount of clothing; however, the need was so urgent that AMWA packed and shipped the items ahead of schedule. Just a few days before our service day, they returned and asked for additional clothing to send. In response, we reached out to Resurrection Street Ministry (RSM), which operates a thrift store, for help. Deeply moved by AMWA’s needs, RSM arrived with a truck full of new and gently used clothing—despite experiencing a tire blowout on the way. Community members also went back to their own closets, bringing carloads of additional donations.
- One young women, who is both blind and paralyzed, has a deep desire to contribute meaningfully to society. Though she has lost her sight and mobility, she possesses a remarkable gift for listening with her ears. We invited her to compile a playlist of beautiful music for us to enjoy as we worked together. We found her twirling around in her wheelchair as her songs were being played. Another woman, who is also blind, offered her skills to bless those who have survived violence, carefully stitching quilts that will wrap recipients in comfort and love, leaving a lasting mark of her care and compassion.
- The Sant Nirankari Mission, whose members include Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu faiths, holds a deep spiritual connection to blood donation. In 1972, their Satguru, Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, was assassinated in Delhi for speaking out in favor of peace. In response, his son, Baba Hardev Singh Ji, quieted the calls for revenge by inspiring a movement of giving blood rather than shedding it. Today, the Mission is recognized worldwide as a leader in blood donation. At our event, they organized a successful blood drive, collecting more than 23 pints. They all left grateful for the experience and wish to continue working together.
- We created a Children’s Service Corner so even the littlest hands could help bless our community. With face painting as the highlight, the kids were excited to serve.
One of our favorite memories from this event is seeing members of New Thought, Christians, and Muslims crocheting hearts together—a small act that beautifully embodied the spirit of our AZIFM 9/11 Day of Service: turning tragedy into service, together.
