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The University of North Georgia (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ) has received a $41,500 military college grant to support a food packing event on Sept. 7 in remembrance of the Sept. 11 attacks. AmeriCorps and MyGoodDeed, the nonprofit that founded 9/11 Day, funded the grant.

¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ students, faculty and staff can sign up to help pack 100,000 meals in 90-minute shifts at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Convocation Center at ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Dahlonega Campus. More than 300 volunteers are needed to pack the meals that will be distributed by local nonprofits.

"It's a great way to connect with and serve the community," Mallory Rodriguez, director of student leadership, said.

Then, the Student Government Association (SGA) and ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ will host a 9/11 remembrance at 7:30 p.m. that day in the Convocation Center. Retired Lt. Col. Keith Antonia, interim vice president for Leadership and Global Engagement, will serve as keynote speaker.

Antonia retired from 20 years of service in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer in August 2001. During his Army career, he served two tours in the 82nd Airborne Division, two tours in the 75th Ranger Regiment, and three tours in the Airborne Ranger Training Brigade. He was designated a distinguished member of the Ranger Training Brigade in 2005; inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2009; and served as Honorary Colonel of the Ranger Training Brigade from 2011-2014.

This project helps fill a really big need in the community. I'm super proud to partner with ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ on this as an alumna and former faculty member. It's a great opportunity for ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ students to learn about the community they live in and get involved.

Brigette Barker

Lumpkin County Family Connection director

"We'll help our students increase their involvement so they can connect more to the ceremony," Mitchell said.

Director Brigette Barker will help ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ ensure the meals are distributed where they are needed. Lumpkin County Family Connection is part of Georgia Family Connection, the only statewide network of its kind in the country with partners in all 159 counties working toward measurably better outcomes for children, families and communities through identifying and bridging service gaps.

"This project helps fill a really big need in the community. I'm super proud to partner with ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ on this as an alumna and former faculty member," Barker said. "It's a great opportunity for ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ students to learn about the community they live in and get involved."