Volunteers Honor 9/11 Victims With Day Of Service At Local Fire Station
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Many of us paused today to remember the deadly terror attacks that took place 12 years ago.
In the city of Pittsburgh, some volunteers spent time giving back in honor of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
A handful of volunteers find hope on this difficult and somber day. They took part in a nationwide day of service.
"I think this is just one way that we can build a sense of community and get together over something positive," said Zach Howarth, of Cool Roofs Project.
The men and women worked on the roof of Fire Engine 14 in Oakland on McKee Place. They painted the roof to make the building more energy efficient and to lower the city's CO2 emissions.
The Cool Roofs initiative was started up in Pittsburgh by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
"It's a reflective white paint and what it does is lowers the total building temperature, so that they have to run less AC; therefore, spending less money and saving taxpayer dollars," says Howarth.
This is the eighth fire station in the city to receive a new paint job.
Volunteers wanted to the tackle the fire houses first because they are manned 24/7, which means they use a lot of electricity.
"This is just a way that we are trying to trail blaze on the green front. We're one of the first three cities to do this program. New York City was the first to do so and Phoenix, Az., is another one," Howarth added.
The volunteers didn't wasting anytime. While they waited for the paint to dry in between coats, the picked up trash all throughout the neighborhood.
"Oakland gets a lot of trash," said Howarth. "There's a lot of kids around, a lot of parties, and you know, it's a nice neighborhood. I'm aPitt alum, I'd like to keep it looking nice."
Volunteers all across the country worked on similar projects on this day of service.
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