Helping Hands of Nocatee marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by saying “thank you” to the community’s first responders.
To honor both the day and the community’s public safety personnel, the group brought meals to the personnel at the Nocatee fire station, where families were invited to help create a banner reading “9/11 Never Forget – Thank You.”
“We started by telling the kids in an age-appropriate way what 9/11 was all about and why we thank our first responders for that day and for what they do every day,” Helping Hands member Jill DAmato said. “Kids traced their handprints on the banner and parents were invited to write thank you messages on it.”
Kids also had an opportunity to tour some of the fire station’s emergency vehicles.
Lt. Jason Hartley said he and his colleagues appreciated the group’s support.
“I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “Any time that kids get to actually meet us and see what we do is great, so that we know we’re here to help.”