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Thousands of kindnesses, plus 1

To commemorate the 9/11 attacks and inspire kind acts, a Citrus volunteer center hopes to collect 2,001 donations.

Diane Cary hopes Citrus County residents will mark the upcoming third anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with thousands of acts of kindness.

Two thousand and one, to be exact.

Cary, supervisor at the Nature Coast Volunteer Center, is organizing a drive Friday to collect 2,001 items, including canned food, personal hygiene products for adults and babies, tissues and paper towels, and cleaning supplies.

The center then will distribute the donated items to shelters and food pantries in the county, she said. The acts of kindness should not be limited to donations. People also should visit neighbors, open the door for someone or volunteer in the community, she said.

"It's a way to try to do something positive from" the attacks, Cary said.

Now, in Hurricane Frances' wake, the need for food has become even greater, with residents having to throw out expired or spoiled food, she said.

"People are in dire need of food," Cary said. "We hope people will respond."

The Friday drive is part of a nationwide effort to perform community service, or any other acts of charity, in remembrance of the victims of the attacks. The effort is organized by the Points of Light Foundation, One Day's Pay, Youth Service America and Citizen Corps.

Cary said the center held a similar donation drive last year and collected 1,109 items - 9/11 backward, she noted. This time, the center set the goal of 2,001 items to commemorate the year of the attacks.

"It's a lofty goal," Cary said. "But I think between businesses and community groups, and county employees and the caring network of people within this community, we can achieve it."

The center recruits volunteers on behalf of more than 100 organizations throughout Citrus County. Volunteers are matched with sites based on their interests and skills.

Donations can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday at the Lecanto Government Building, 3600 W Sovereign Path, off County Route 491. Workers will stand outside the building to take donations if people just want to make a dropoff, Cary said.