News From the North

9/11 Day and National Day of Service
 

The anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks has become an important Patriot Day and National Day of Service in America and Canada, known as “9/11 Day.” 9/11 Day is a time to join together to remember those lost on 9/11 and, if possible, perform Good Deeds or other acts of service as a tribute to the 9/11 victims, as well as first responders and military personnel who rose in service in response to the attacks. For the last few years, the Consulate General of Canada in New York has participated in 9/11 Day’s volunteer meal-packing event onboard NYC’s Intrepid—last year’s event resulted in 1.1 million meal donations across the country and world.
 
This year, the organizers of 9/11 Day are asking us to participate virtually, through a special program called “9/11 Day At Home,” and to do so also in remembrance of the those we’ve lost to COVID-19. Their goal is to inspire one million acts of service in support of COVID relief, both in honor of the victims of 9/11, as well as those who have tragically lost their lives to COVID-19.
We’d like to encourage you to participate and have a few suggestions:

1. Visit 911day.org and browse the outstanding virtual service opportunities they have posted on their site, as well as other “good deeds”.
2. Pick an activity that inspires you, or come up with your own good deed or charitable service projects for 9/11, then complete it.
3. Share your 9/11 good deed, or activity on social media! Tag @911Day and @CanadaNY on Twitter, 911Day and @CanadaNY on Facebook or 911day and canada.newyork on Instagram. Use the hashtag #911day.
4. While donations are not required, if you are in a position to do so, we will be hosting a virtual food drive that will benefit the Food Bank of NYC. Throughout the five boroughs, 1.5 million New Yorkers rely on the Food Bank to keep food on the table for themselves and their families. If you’re able to contribute, please donate directly here.

Canada Answers the Call: Battling California Wildfires
 

Canada and the U.S. have always stepped up to help each other in times of need, and natural disasters are no exception. Ongoing forest fires throughout California this summer have led to record levels of burnt land and damage. When Governor Newsom made an appeal for international help, more than 60 fire fighters from Quebec responded. Read about how they and their “super scooper” water bombers are on the ground now with their American colleagues battling the blazes.
 

A Word from Our American Friends in Ottawa
 

With large in-person celebrations on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, our friends at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa found a new way this year to mark July 4^th and celebrate Canada-U.S. connections. Check out the Embassy’s guest post to find out all about their truly creative solution – entitled ‘Separate Together’ - to commemorate Independence Day.