New Jersey residents honor 9/11 by giving back

As New Jersey commemorates the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, many across the state are honoring the victims by giving back to the community and the country. Several years ago, when Bergen

News 12 Staff

Sep 12, 2015, 4:01 AM

Updated 3,160 days ago

Share:

New Jersey residents honor 9/11 by giving back
As New Jersey commemorates the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, many across the state are honoring the victims by giving back to the community and the country.
Several years ago, when Bergen County Marine Chris Wilson was serving, he received a care package from the group Mahwah Marine Moms. He now gives back by working with the group Head Strong, which helps hurting veterans.
"The military will continue to do what they need to do to make America be safer, but the fact that these people continue to support our troops is just amazing," he says.
Billy Cook, now 14, was only 6 months old when the attack occurred. Even though he cannot remember that fateful day, Cook says he still wants to do his part. He founded Billy's Baseballs and has delivered 5,000 baseballs to troops overseas.
"I learned that it was really a hard day, and I'm so grateful for those that fought and those that survived." he says.
Phill Stafford and his wife Renay started the New Jersey Food and Clothing Rescue following the attacks. Stafford says that he wanted to help the victims and first responders on that day, but was blocked from entering Manhattan.
The Staffords decided to help other people for the rest of their lives by reaching out to the homeless.
"It doesn't matter how small or how big, everybody has the ability to help somebody," says Renay Stafford.
"9/11 was a horrible day," says Phil Stafford, "but 9/12 was an amazing day. Everybody came together. Everybody was kind."


More from News 12
2:36
Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

2:22
STORM WATCH: Early morning storms expected to impact Wednesday commute

STORM WATCH: Early morning storms expected to impact Wednesday commute

1:50
Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

0:39
State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

0:26
Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

0:42
Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

1:39
Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

2:06
Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

0:24
Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

2:03
Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know

Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know

2:23
Paterson public safety director derides layoff of sheriff officers, closure of Passaic County Jail

Paterson public safety director derides layoff of sheriff officers, closure of Passaic County Jail

0:28
TSA officers arrest Florida man for having loaded gun packed in carry-on bag at Newark airport

TSA officers arrest Florida man for having loaded gun packed in carry-on bag at Newark airport

0:35
Police: Elmwood Park man drove drunk, struck 8 vehicles; 3 injured

Police: Elmwood Park man drove drunk, struck 8 vehicles; 3 injured

0:25
Paterson man faces slew of charges in connection to armed kidnappings

Paterson man faces slew of charges in connection to armed kidnappings

2:03
Best of New Jersey: A taste of everything the Dunellen Hotel has to offer

Best of New Jersey: A taste of everything the Dunellen Hotel has to offer

0:29
Walmart reaches settlement in class action lawsuit

Walmart reaches settlement in class action lawsuit

0:33
Atlantic City man sentenced for drug induced deaths of tourists

Atlantic City man sentenced for drug induced deaths of tourists

0:26
Man killed in two-car Egg Harbor Township crash

Man killed in two-car Egg Harbor Township crash