Each year, volunteers from the Sathya Sai Center of Dallas in Texas collaborate with the Universal Unitarian Church to honour community firefighters. This event is organised in memory of firefighters who sacrificed their lives during the September 11, 2001 (911) terrorist attack in New York City. About 30 SSIO volunteers, including SSE students, participated in the service along with 70 church volunteers. The team packed several hampers with a variety of snack items such as cookies, chips, crackers, energy bars, candies and nuts. The SSE students also prepared “Thank you” cards for the firefighters.

An SSE student reflected on the visit to honour firefighters on the 911 anniversary: “As we take time today to remember our brave first responders and the sacrifice they make daily, we recognise that this is not just a service project. It is a way for us to thank and show our deepest gratitude for the many ways they keep us safe and protect our lives and our homes. As we delivered the baskets, it was so wonderful to see their faces light up with smiles and appreciation for our gift baskets. It made our hearts swell with joy.”