---
title: ‘Service Will Save Us’
date: 2024-09-12T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/service-will-save-us"
section: Articles
---
# ‘Service Will Save Us’

*September 12, 2024* — by [Annie Krakower](/author/annie-krakower)


> At On-Campus Volunteer Project, Governor Launches Second Cohort of Service Year Option, Maryland Corps

*3 S6 A4588 1920x1080 — Some of the 600 Service Year Option cohort members assemble care packages for the Maryland Book Bank in Reckord Armory on Wednesday. Below, Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the event.*

A sea of red-shirted volunteers created an upbeat assembly line in Reckord Armory on Wednesday. Accompanied by energetic pop music blasting from speakers, they stuffed paper bags with first aid kits, bookmarks and children’s books about firefighters, police officers and doctors. Once these care packages were complete, they boxed them up along with colorful stickers to be sent to Maryland Book Bank, a Baltimore-based organization promoting childhood literacy.

The project, led by the nonprofit Break a Difference, helped launch the second cohort of the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps programs, both administered through the [Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation](https://dsci.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx) (DSCI) to expand volunteerism statewide. After a spirited welcome from the Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band, Gov. Wes Moore hailed the 600 cohort members at the September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance event, which also included AmeriCorps volunteers and members of the Maryland National Guard.

“This is a group that’s not just ready to put in the work—this is a group that is ready to change the world,” said Moore, who was joined by Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, DSCI Deputy Secretary Sarah Flammang, UMD President Darryll J. Pines and more. “Today is not just a remembrance of the horrors of what happened 23 years ago. Today is also an acknowledgement of those who in response stepped up. … Never forget it is service that will save us.”

[Service Year Option](https://dsci.maryland.gov/maryland-corps-service-year-option/Pages/member-fact-sheet.aspx), the first program of its kind in the nation, presents Maryland high school graduates with opportunities to earn a living wage and gain new skills through a service placement in their interest area, including community health, education and public safety. Participants work with coaches to refine their post-service plans, whether they include college, a career or continued service.



*person speaks in front of audience at podium*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)



**Units:** [Office of the President](https://today.umd.edu/topic/office-president)