Lehi Serves, a Lehi-based grassroots nonprofit, has received 501(c)(3) status, or nonprofit status. Chuck Meeker, a Lehi-based attorney and co-president of the organization, filed all the necessary paperwork to ensure that businesses and individuals donating to the organization can receive the tax benefits for charitable donations.

“This is a major milestone for us. We are excited to announce that we are an official nonprofit organization,” Meeker said in an email to Lehi Serves leaders.

The organization was founded in 2022 as a citywide community support organization. Since then, every September around 9/11, Lehi has partnered with national relief organization 9/11.org to host a day-long event to bring the community together to help.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 7. The all-day event begins at 8am with a patriotic program in the memorial building, Hutching’s Museum.

Several groups are heavily involved in the effort each year, including Lehi City, Just Serve, Adobe and the Lehi Free Press, along with other faith-based groups, schools, nonprofits and businesses. Adobe has conducted dozens of service projects at its Lehi facilities over the past two years, while outdoor projects have been conducted at various Lehi City parks.

“Hundreds of Lehi residents have come each year to make quilts, make toys, pull weeds and write letters. This is a great service event that gets better every year,” said Sally Francom, past president of Lehi Serves.

“The best part is that everyone can contribute, from a young child to a senior citizen. There is a project that anyone can do. Even if you only have an hour, come join us on September 7,” Francom said.

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9/11 Day was celebrated shortly after the Terrorist attacks of September 11 by David Paine and Jay Winuk. David and Jay wanted the loss of so many lives in the9/11 tragedy, including Jay’s younger brother Glenn, a lawyer and volunteer firefighter who was killed while responding to the World Trade Center. This initiative has spread and now thousands of communities across the country participate together on the same day.

Anyone who would like to participate can register via Just Serve: https://www.justserve.org/lehiarea