IRVING, Texas, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than a century, the Boy Scouts of America has honored the United States during times of remembrance—encouraging all members to serve and contribute to the common good. Leading up to Sept. 11, when the United States of America marks the 10-year anniversary of one of the darkest days in the nation's history, the Boy Scouts of America will once again honor the country through focused acts of service as part of Scout Surge 9/11.

Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 10, in communities throughout the nation, Scouts are encouraged to "surge" by undertaking service projects to honor those affected by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Scout units will participate in a variety of activities ranging from American flag retirement ceremonies to projects that recognize and assist local first responders in honoring the memory of the first responders and others who sacrificed so much on 9/11.

"For the past 100 years, in times of trial, triumph, and remembrance, millions of Scouts have honored our nation through service," Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca said. "Just as they did 10 years ago, when Scouts mobilized and collected more than 150,000 bottles of water for ground zero rescue workers, our Scouts are encouraged to surge into action and complete focused service projects in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001."

On Sept. 11, Scout units will invite their local communities to remember the 10th anniversary of the events by gathering to watch the movie New York Says Thank You. Started in 2003 at the suggestion of a 5-year-old boy, each year around the 9/11 anniversary, the New York Says Thank You Foundation sends hundreds of volunteers from New York City along with disaster survivors from across the country to help rebuild communities recovering from disaster. The movie chronicles the group's efforts and features the group helping rebuild the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Iowa, which was devastated by a 2008 tornado.

"The BSA is committed to improving the lives of young people, families, communities, and the nation—with an emphasis on service," said Jeff Parness, founder of the New York Says Thank You Foundation. "New Yorkers will never forget what people all across the United States did for us in the days, weeks, and months following 9/11. We are proud to work with the Scouts with the shared goal of honoring and remembering the events of Sept. 11, 2001."

Scouts are encouraged to use social media to spread the word of their projects in their local communities and beyond. They also can post service project ideas and event pictures on www.scoutsurge911.org or their council's Facebook page. Scouts looking for additional ideas and ways to make an impact can find more information on www.actionamerica.com. More information concerning New York Says Thank You is available at www.newyorksaysthankyoumovie.com.

About the New York Says Thank You Foundation

Started in 2003 at the suggestion of a 5-year-old boy, the New York Says Thank You Foundation has grown into the nation's largest direct-service volunteer organization focused on the 9/11 anniversary. Each year around the 9/11 anniversary, the New York Says Thank You Foundation sends hundreds of volunteers from New York City along with disaster survivors from across the country to help rebuild communities around the United States recovering from disaster. For more information, please visit www.newyorksaysthankyou.org.

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America prepares young people for life by providing the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21, and more than a million volunteers, in nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

SOURCE Boy Scouts of America