New Yorkers Honor 9/11 Victims Through Service

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- From a park in Astoria to a soup kitchen in the East Village and a school in Crown Heights, the 9/11 Day of Service was an effort to rekindle the spirit of togetherness that united New York after the terror attacks, CBS 2's Tony Aiello reports.

"I can't think of a better way to get a sense of community than working together to improve your community," said Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. (D-Queens).

At Father's Heart Ministry in the East Village, almost 100 volunteers marked 9/11 by serving hot meals to the hungry.

"We get so much joy out of serving these people in need," one volunteer said.

"On 9/11 we encourage volunteers to show up and mark this tragic day, but we also are using this opportunity to ask people to commit to service throughout the year," said Joel Berg of the NYC Coalition Against Hunger.

In Brooklyn, volunteers were working on a project that will help feed young minds .

Fidelity Investments sent 80 volunteers to spruce up the playground at M.S. 354 with paint, new benches and tables, and a giant chess board.

"We're painting a map of the world, painting the cafeteria, we want these kids to be really excited about school," said   Sheila Cavanaugh of Investments.

New Yorkers pulling together was the bright side of that dark day nine years ago.