Volunteers build houses and give blood in effort to recapture post-9/11 unity

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Americans are building houses and giving blood in a national day of volunteerism in memory of Sept. 11.

Volunteers recalled how the country was united in the weeks after the attacks. Folks sought to recapture that spirit on the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

In Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, about 200 Habitat for Humanity volunteers gathered at dawn to build seven homes for seven families.

With projects in all 50 states, the goal of the day is to honor the victims and turn the anniversary into something positive.

People across the U.S. renovated community centers, cleaned public parks and gave blood. In Richmond, Va., folks shined fire trucks.

In Brooklyn, Mich., people donated hundreds of pints of blood. Volunteers in New York City gave kids school supplies.