A community service project benefiting the city’s emergency responders will mark Vicksburg’s observance of the second National Day of Service and Remembrance Saturday from 8 until 11 a.m. at Walnut and Veto streets.

Families and volunteers of all ages are asked to paint service bays and parking areas at the Vicksburg Fire Department’s Central Fire Station, the Vicksburg Police Department and Vicksburg Department of Public Health and Safety.

The project is coordinated by AmeriCorps NCCC and includes city employees and members of America Reads-Mississippi.

The National Day of Service and Remembrance was started last year in remembrance of the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.

The day will kick off in the parking lot of the health and safety department with a small rally and reflection about the importance of Sept. 11 and the significance of the spirit of volunteerism in local communities. Volunteers will be assigned in small groups to the three sites.

ARM also will host a table for volunteers interested in writing letters to troops in the military.

The City of Vicksburg is a nationally recognized City of Service, an initiative that encourages mayors to promote service in their cities.

America Reads-Mississippi is dedicated to improving the reading skills of students, encouraging public awareness and support of literacy and helping to increase the number of certified teachers in Mississippi.

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based, 10-month, residential national service program for men and women ages 18-24. Its Southern District headquarters is located on Confederate Avenue at the former All Saints’ Episcopal School.

For more details about the event, contact Stephanie Taylor at 769-203-0955 or Erika Roberts at 202-391-1099.