Akron’s First Grace United Church of Christ has received a $2,500 grant from the Hands On Network, part of the Points of Light Institute, to sponsor service projects around the Sept. 11 anniversary.Lisa Slater, who runs the AmeriCorps program at the West Akron church, said a grant of an undetermined amount also will be awarded by the Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism for the programs.Her church is working with Portage County’s Family & Community Services Inc. on programs scheduled over the next several days to engage veterans in volunteerism.Events scheduled Friday:• Community meal, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St.• Sorting of clothing for the Summit County Veterans Stand Down, 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., Firestone VFW Post 3383, 690 W. Waterloo Road, Akron.• Spaghetti dinner benefitting the Phyllis Zumker County Clothing Center, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., 118 S. Mantua St., Kent.• Cleanup at Miller Community House and Freedom House, 1211 Anita Drive. In partnership with the United Way of Portage County’s Day of Caring.Events scheduled Saturday:• Cookie baking for Summit County Veterans Stand Down, 2 to 6 p.m., First Grace UCC, 350 S. Portage Path, Akron.• Car wash, Hudson High School, 2500 Hudson-Aurora Road, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Benefit for Valor Home, a shelter for homeless veterans under construction in Akron and for the Freedom House in Kent.Events scheduled Sunday:• Community meal, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St., Kent.• Community meal, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., First Grace UCC, 350 S. Portage Path, Akron.• Fence and garden preparation, 9 a.m. to noon, Valor Home site, 1060 E. Waterloo Road, Akron.• Conclusion of weeklong food pantry drive at the Kent American Legion, Streetsboro VFW, Ravenna American Legion and Ravenna VFW.Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or at jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.