DANVILLE — When Lori and LaVonya Carter were trying to schedule the second annual Community Awareness Day, Sept. 11 was the only date open without a lot of conflicts.

On the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, the couple decided to make that event part of their Awareness Day.

“We thought we needed to commemorate that day. It’s too important of a day,” Lori said.

Thus, the event will have a patriotic theme, with help from the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affair and the Veterans Multipurpose Employment Center at Danville Area Community College.

Like last year’s event, Community Awareness Day aims to show all residents of the area — not just veterans — what types of resources are available.

“It’s not strictly about the veterans. It’s about the community of Danville and what’s available to everyone,” Lori said. “It’s important veterans know what’s there, but others need to know.”

A variety of organizations will have booths set up, including Your Family Resource Connection, CRIS Healthy Aging, Love INC, DACC and Community Action.

Veterans’ offices, including several from the VA, will have tables set up.

Plus, there will be music by the contemporary Christian bands MyPsalter of Danville and The Surrendering of Lafayette, Ind., and the gospel group D. Reed & City of Yaweh of Danville.

At noon, a ceremony will begin with Lincoln’s Challenge of Rantoul presenting the colors, followed by a prayer. There will be a moment of silence in remembrance of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Speakers include Ray Nasser with the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Diana Carranza, associate director of the VA’s Illiana Health Care System; Mayor Scott Eisenhauer; state Rep. Bill Black; and state Sen. Mike Frerichs. Youth with Lincoln’s Challenge will retire the colors.

The program should end by 1 p.m., but the event itself will continue until 3 p.m. People may buy food, browse the booths and enjoy the music. Lori suggested people bring lawn chairs.

Last year, the Awareness Day brought out about 15 organizations and drew about 150 people, LaVonya said. This year’s event will feature even more organizations.

Last year, about 60 veterans who had never used the VA or had stopped using its services were enrolled or re-enrolled.

LaVonya and his wife started last year’s event in an effort to give back to the community. It was the first time either had organized such an event.

“My goal was to bring local organizations together in one arena to allow our community members to visit each organization to see what, if any, services are offered that they might benefit from,” he said.

LaVonya is open about sharing his story — he was a homeless, addicted Vietnam veteran in 2003. Three years later, he surrendered and gave his life to Christ.

With the help of the VA and local agencies, he obtained sobriety and now is employed through the Compensated Work Therapy program at the VA.

“Danville was the place that allowed me to get my life together,” he said, “and I wanted to give back to Danville by showing people that help is available if you are willing to seek it.”

He also is a speaker with Lincoln’s Challenge Academy, and has spoken to Young Men Aware, Prairie Center and several local churches.

LaVonya said he’s willing to speak to any group, “any way I can share my experiences in an effort to reach even one soul to save them from the life I led.”

COMING UP

The second annual Community Awareness Day will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Douglas Park pavilion on South Bowman Avenue. A program starts at noon, featuring speakers and a moment of silence to commemorate 9/11.

For more information or to participate, call Lori or LaVonya Carter at 443-3680.