Volunteers joined together by tragedy will travel to Greensburg next week to help the community rebuild.

The New York Says Thank You Foundation, a group that includes 9/11 survivors, is bringing about 200 volunteers to the small south-central Kansas town blown away by an EF-5 tornado last year.

"They're trying to give them back something that will pull them back together the way they were pulled back together in New York," said Deborah Abner, Salvation Army disaster coordinator for Kansas and western Missouri.

Volunteers will begin work Thursday and wrap up Sept. 7 as the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks approaches. Volunteers will be led by New York City firefighters — some of whom previously visited Greensburg — and will include others affected by the attacks. In addition, volunteers from other communities helped by the foundation throughout the nation are expected as they are asked to "Pay it Forward," according to media releases.

Work will center on rebuilding a 14,000-square-foot pavilion on the county 4-H grounds in Greensburg. Volunteers also are to assist in rebuilding the Greensburg Rodeo Club's outdoor arena.