Las Vegas Ballpark turned Friday night into a tribute to service and community, hosting Faith & Family Night with a “Never Forget” 9/11 remembrance woven alongside a celebration of Henderson’s Paseo Verde Little League national championship team. A police officer and a firefighter each threw out a first pitch before the game, and fireworks capped the night alongside a 9/11 tribute video shown after the final out.
The event, held in partnership with JustServe, brought together people of different faiths, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, players and their families, according to FOX5 Vegas. JustServe itself is a free volunteer-matching platform active in 17 countries and territories that was created and funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it draws advisory input from secular groups including the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, per The Hancock News.
A Ballpark Full of Ways to Give Back
Concourse booths let fans connect with nonprofit organizations throughout the night, while attendees could also write letters to service members as part of the evening’s community-service theme, the station’s report noted. Clark County brought out a fire truck for display, and the Las Vegas Aviators received a service award during the festivities. Fans could also collect autographs and trading cards and meet former MLB players who attended the event.
The choirs from Cornerstone Christian Academy and Faith Lutheran Middle School both performed during Faith & Family Night, adding a musical backdrop to an evening that mixed baseball tradition with civic remembrance. Those performances fit into a night explicitly built to honor those who have served the country, framing the 9/11 tribute alongside the broader spirit of community service that defines the date.
Why September 11 Doubles as a Day of Service
The pairing of remembrance with volunteerism traces back to federal law: September 11 was designated a National Day of Service and Remembrance under the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, signed in April 2009, according to GovInfo. That designation provides a framework for community-service efforts on the anniversary. That framework is part of why ballparks and community venues around the country lean into volunteer drives on the anniversary rather than treating it purely as a solemn occasion…