OCEAN CITY, Md. - To honor 9/11, volunteers in Ocean City put together emergency "go bags" that will be distributed to senior citizens on the Lower Shore.
Stuffing each bag one by one, volunteers made the kits for seniors on this Sept. 11. Organizers planned this event months in advance because they said there was not better time to volunteer than on 9/11.
"Most of us remember where we were on that day and we just wanted to honor the people who have suffered in some way," Jim Campbell, AARP Maryland state president, said.
It's all part of AARP Maryland's National Day of Service to honor the families and victims of 9/11.
"18 years ago, a lot of people lost their lives defending our country and the firemen and policemen are still passing away from 9/11," Larry Walton, president of the Ocean Pines AARP chapter said. "So today is an awesome day to do it. It's a day of service for AARP. We're giving back to the community."
Volunteers came out to pack 200 bags. They include a flashlight, a fireproof document holder, a poncho, a reflective blanket, a battery pack, a sanitizer, a first aid kit, and pamphlets that include emergency preparedness information.
"Everything in that bag is important to have in an emergency," Amanda Lewis with Ocean City Emergency Management said.
Organizers said the threat of Hurricane Dorian was an important reminder for the need to plan and prepare for a disaster.
"These folks have very little money for medicines and foods, let alone the extras that these nice bags have in there," Valerie Wagner with Mac, Inc. said. "And, it provides them something that they can just grab and go and put their medicines in things and be ready to go."
The packed bags were handed off to the Mac center in Salisbury, where they will then be handed out to the most vulnerable senior citizens in Somerset, Wicomcio and Worcester counties.
The event was put together in collaboration with AARP Maryland, the Ocean City Office of Emergency Services and the Mac, Inc. Area Agency on Aging.