Volunteers help others mark Sept. 11

Veronica Korcz exercised her heart on Friday.

She didn't visit the gym or pursue cardiovascular activities. Instead, she took her heart to the Humanitarian Service Project building in Carol Stream.

Joining other volunteers from the United Parcel Service, she lifted cardboard boxes packed with non-perishable food, fresh produce and personal care products.

"I think it's important to give back to the community," Korcz said. "Sometimes we get consumed in our day-to-day life. It's nice to step out of your routine to help others."

The 25-year-old Bloomingdale woman is among the couple thousand volunteers who signed on to participate in Giving DuPage's sixth annual DuPage Remembers and Gives: A Day of Volunteerism.

The volunteer event commemorates the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, by bringing community members together to help not-for-profit organizations.

The Humanitarian Service Project has one of about 90 projects occurring throughout DuPage County on Friday and today. Businesses, church groups, Scouts, school clubs and organizations from Naperville, Roselle, Itasca, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard and others are making a difference.

Employees of Westmont-based Hall-Erickson Inc. spent part of their Friday assembling baskets that were delivered to Catholic Charities headquarters in Lombard. Catholic Charities volunteers will take the baskets to the Catholic Charities Hope House in Villa Park.

The marching band from Lake Park High School in Roselle today will be collecting food for the Bloomingdale Township food pantry. Meanwhile, students from Wood Dale Elementary District 7 will be doing the same for a food pantry in Wood Dale.

Volunteer coordinators said there's been a spike in volunteerism efforts around the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"I think there has become an awareness around volunteerism on Sept. 11, and I think that's fantastic," said Kathy Blair, manager of Giving DuPage. "But the need is an ongoing one. It's year-round."