Alms is just another word for charity. Post 9/11, the acts of charity and volunteerism around this country were legendary and otherwise without parallel.

Some social and charitable agencies were overwhelmed and needed to turn away volunteers. Recognizing that spirit, President Barack Obama said at a memorial at the Pentagon on 9/11, "We can summon once more that ordinary goodness of America, to serve our communities, to strengthen our country and to better our world."

The "world" is as near as your neighbor, the widow around the block, the school in your neighborhood or the Trenton church teaching English as a second language. Your world includes the YMCA Special Kids recreation program, the Special Olympics or the Hamilton PAL. All of us need one another, and the volunteering of time and effort is so much more memorable than the mere writing of a check in donation. You can be a part of something. You can matter to a person and an organization.

"Let us remember how we came together as one nation, as one people, as Americans, united not only in our grief, but in our resolve to stand with one another, to stand up for the country we all love," Obama said. President Obama declared the anniversary of the attacks a national day of remembrance and service. And he and First Lady Michelle Obama led the way, visiting a Habitat for Humanity construction site in Washington, where they pitched in by painting a living room wall.

When the president signs the Serve America Act this month, the country will take a step in that direction. Obama recently issued a statement pledging to sign the Serve America Act, saying the measure "will usher in a new era of service in America." In addition to designating Sept. 11 as a day of service, the legislation will expand AmeriCorps and establish four new service corps.

The legislation, which includes a variety of measures to encourage public service, designates Sept. 11 as a national day of service. The founder of a group called My Good Deed and a friend launched the idea as their brainchild. The group wants to transform Sept. 11 into a celebration of the volunteerism that swept the nation after the 2001 terrorist attacks. And, why not?

The day of service has gained widespread support from 9/11 victims' groups. "How do we want to tell future generations about 9/11?" one of the My Good Deed founders asked. "Are students going to be taught about the attacks or those people who came from around the country to volunteer and send supplies?"

MyGoodDeed.org, the group's website, offers people an opportunity to list whatever type of service they feel comfortable with. "It attracts people to serve who typically have not engaged in charitable service before." The site has reportedly received more than 1 million visits from people in 170 countries.

If you entertained the idea of volunteering in the past, or will after today, take that first step. If you are a professional, consider waiving your fee for someone who needs your help. If you have time to help out the kids and other handicapped people at the Miracle League, get out there and pitch in. Maybe that stretch of roadway sponsored by a local business is not quite up to snuff; call the sponsor and volunteer to help pick it up. Bring an elderly person some meals on wheels, or simply volunteer to give your time to an elder man or woman for some company.

The point is "just do something." You will benefit from the giving as much as your target of charity enjoys the receiving. Besides the benefit of feeling good about your 9/11 volunteerism, volunteering can have some real and tangible benefits. Just this week, Disney announced a "give a day, get a day" type of program beginning in January. A day volunteered for an approved organization will earn you a pass for a free day in the park. Corporate America is showing signs of recognition of the importance and value of volunteering. Disney's website contains the details of this upcoming program.

With 9/11 as an added motivator, you will love the giving you do. Whether it's washing that neighbor's windows, or treating their injured eye, whether you lead a march of men or women against violence or read this newspaper to a blind person, just do it. Summon the ordinary goodness that caused people to give a sandwich to an unknown hungry man showing up at an American's back door. Give the time to tutor a student who needs the help. Do so, and you are an usher of service and the greeter to a new era of American goodness.

I am an attorney in Hamilton, practicing general law with concentrations in criminal and bankruptcy law, and a volunteer tutor for an English as a Second Language program in Trenton who donates his services in a complex legal matter once annually to honor the victims of 9/11. I am also one of the attorneys who assisted 9/11 victims with respect to recovery of benefits offered by the United States.

I support Special Olympics, the Miracle League baseball league for the handicapped and the YMCA SKOR programs for people with developmental disabilities. I will enjoy golf, fishing, and other sports after I retire.

Kevin Carlin

Hamilton