Sept. 11: VFW Hall Hosts Volunteers from MRH, Community

junior Madeline Gill stood in front of in Richmond Heights on Sunday, pulling weeds from a flowerbed while chatting with her friends.

Her friends from the Mehlville-Oakville area, Sarah Meyers, Brandon Anderson and Jon Meyers, took turns raking a nearby flowerbed and offering words of encouragement.

They joined more than 40 other students, teachers and community members to remember the 10th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2011, through volunteerism. Participants painted the banquet hall, completed yardwork and helped in whatever other ways they could.

(More photos are available on our MRH Blue Devils Facebook page.)

It was part of a project spearheaded by MRH teacher Patrice Bryan. She teaches a social justice class called Cornerstone, which uses the school district's four themes of leadership, citizenship, scholarship and stewardship for education efforts.

"Along with that comes a pretty significant community service component," Bryan said.

That's why the class asked for community support to help the VFW hall as part of a project called "Serving Those Who Serve".

"We're blessed and honored to team up with Maplewood Richmond Heights," post commander Brandan Mueller said.

Many sponsors offered support for the project. Home Depot donated paint materials, Tony Francescon from Craftsmen Interiors laid tile in the hall and cooked lunch for the volunteers. A number of other sponsors helped in other ways.

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-St. Louis) stopped by to view the project and thank the students for their service.

With so many things that pull the country apart, it's important to receive a "solemn reminder" on the effect of coming together as a community, Carnahan said.

"That's when America is at her best, and when we are our strongest," Carnahan said.