Fifth Annual Mitzvah Marathon Sees 1,500 Participants

Binghamton University marked the Fifth Anniversary of 9/11 with its Fifth
annual Mitzvah Marathon Fair, which gave the members of the BU community the
opportunity to do a Mitzvah, a good deed, in memory of the victims of 9/11.
The Marathon's logo "Twin Towers Stand Eternal: Goodness and Kindness." "A
little light dispels much darkness" expressed the theme of the day: to do
an act of goodness and kindness - to answer terrorism by making this a
better world. At the Mitzvah Marathon pavilion, there were opportunities to
give charity, donate food to CHOW, say a prayer, volunteer time with
various agencies, and more. Also available in the Tillman lobby was the
opportunity to make PB and Jam sandwiches for the homeless and to donate
blood in a mega blood drive which took place in the Mandela Room. Over 1,500
people did a mitzvah and completed a form with their name and their good
deed which was attached to a picture of one of the victims of 9/11 and
strung on the memory wall. As the day progressed, the wall developed and
became quite an arresting sight. The Binghamton University community was
deeply affected by 9/11. Fifteen alumni perished along with scores
of relatives of current and past students. Even five years later, students
were enthusiastic about the marathon and thankful that they had been given
a meaningful way to turn tears into action.