23 years after the September 11 attacks, the anniversary of 9/11 has become an inspiring symbol of unity in a deeply polarized America
New York, NY
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September 04, 2024 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Over the past 23 years, the 9/11 Day nonprofit has successfully transformed the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks into the largest annual day of service in American history, now recognized under federal law.
But it’s accomplished far more than that.
9/11 Day has turned the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance into a remarkable symbol, and practical expression, of national unity in America.
For 9/11 this year, more than 30 million Americans are expected to participate in the 9/11 Day observance. Some will volunteer through local non-profits, faith-based groups, or their employers. Some will make donations to charities of their choice, and many others will simply spend part of the day in remembrance of those lost, engaging in their own expressions of service and kindnesses.
They will be joined by thousands of corporations, nonprofits, schools, elected officials, and others that will remember and pay tribute by recreating, in some measure, the extraordinary spirit of compassion and service that arose in the nation in the days and weeks following the 9/11 tragedy.
“There’s no better way for all Americans to honor those killed and injured on 9/11, and the many who rose in service in response to the attacks, than for all of us and our governmental leaders to put aside our differences for at least a day and join together in unity to help others in need,” said David Paine, president and co-founder of 9/11 Day.
Jay Winuk, executive vice president and 9/11 Day co-founder, lost his younger brother Glenn Winuk in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center. Glenn, an attorney and volunteer firefighter and EMT, was killed in the line of duty when the World Trade Center South Tower collapsed.
“Like so many first responders, Glenn dedicated his life in service to others,” Winuk said. “That kind of compassion and dedication is inspirational to many. When we engage in good deeds and acts of service, it demonstrates the best in us, brings us together as human beings, and represents an ideal way to mark the anniversary of 9/11, now and in the future.”
9/11 Day: America’s “Day of Doing Good;” Meal Packs Staged in 21 U.S. Cities
This September 11, more than 30,000 volunteers are expected to take part in 9/11 Day’s annual signature service projects, known as “Meal Packs for 9/11 Day,” which have expanded in 2024 to 21 cities across America.
At these large-scale projects, volunteers will collectively assemble more than eight million non-perishable, shelf-stable meals for Americans at risk of hunger. All of the meals will be donated to local Feeding America-affiliated food banks serving these communities in observance of September’s “Hunger Action Month.”
These service events are supported in part by a federal grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency that oversees the nation’s volunteer service initiatives.
More than 500 corporations are participating in this year’s 9/11 Day Meal Pack across the nation. Together with many other employers that also mark 9/11 through volunteerism, 9/11 Day has evolved to become the largest single day of corporate volunteer engagement in America.
Among the lead national corporate funders of 9/11 Day’s program are Reliance, Inc. and Delta Air Lines. Other major corporate partners participating nationally include JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, Citi, Tractor Supply Company, Stifel, KBW, Western Alliance Bank, Nestlé, and Holland & Knight.
9/11 Day’s Meal Pack projects will be held this year in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia (in partnership with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles), Phoenix, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, DC.
Individuals who wish to volunteer at these special projects can visit 911day.org/volunteer for more information. Space is limited.
Teaching 9/11 to a New Generation, Through Service
With nearly 100 million Americans having been born since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 9/11 Day has continued to provide students with meaningful and inspiring ways to learn not just about the 9/11 tragedy, but about the spirit of unity that arose in America, and throughout the world, in response to the attacks.
“This year we are delivering a brand new set of free educator lessons and activities, aimed at giving teachers the tools they need to inspire service in their classrooms and communities on September 11,” Paine said. These new materials are now available free of charge at 911day.org/teachers.
With grant funding from AmeriCorps, 9/11 Day is also supporting service activities for college-age students. In partnership with 11 college campuses across the country, students will pack nearly one million meals for those in need in their local communities. 2024 grantees include Boise State University, Illinois State University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Monroe College, Morgan State University, Otterbein University, Capital University, Denison University, Ohio Wesleyan University, SUNY Oneonta, The Ohio State University, University of New England, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of South Dakota, and UNG - University of North Georgia.
Also with funding from AmeriCorps, 9/11 Day is providing more than $200,000 in grants supporting three outstanding organizations — Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Youth Leadership Council, and the Young Men's Service League - YMSL. Together, these organizations will involve over 3,200 youths across 60 events nationwide. AmeriCorps funding also is being provided through 9/11 Day to several 9/11-related organizations, including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, World Cares Center, and Voices Center for Resilience. Close to $100,000 is being allocated to support service, remembrance and disaster preparedness projects of these organizations.
The 9/11 Day nonprofit, founded in 2002, led the successful efforts in 2009 to formally establish September 11 under federal law as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance as part of the bi-partisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. September 11 is now the largest annual day of charitable engagement in U.S. history. For more information, contact 9/11 Day at info@911day.org.
b-Roll/Videos: Available HERE
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Comments from Leading Corporations
“Reliance wholeheartedly embraces the spirit of service and unity that 9/11 Day represents. We are deeply proud to be a National Presenting Sponsor and to contribute to alleviating food insecurity by supporting 17 Meal Packs across the country. This effort reflects our commitment to supporting and benefiting local communities made up of families just like our own.”
- Karla Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Reliance, Inc.
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“Serving others is at the core of what we do at JPMorgan Chase, and that is especially true in our hometown. This year, hundreds of our employees are once again demonstrating our commitment to New York City and to honoring the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11th by serving their neighbors in need. Together with millions of Americans, we hope this day of service will recognize the selfless acts of so many 23 years ago.”
- Jeanine Carlucci, Head of Talent and Employee Experience, JPMorgan Chase
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“At 14 sites across the U.S., nearly 500 of Western Alliance Bank’s people are proudly participating in the 9/11 Day Meal Pack. The 9/11 National Day of Service presents a powerful reminder that we can come together in a spirit of unity and giving back, even after the darkest days in history. At Western Alliance, giving back to our communities is very meaningful to our culture. We are pleased to honor the legacy of 9/11’s victims, survivors, first responders, and members of our military who bravely rose in service in response to these attacks by packing meals for those most in need.”
- Ken Vecchione, President and CEO of Western Alliance Bank
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“The 9/11 Day of Service volunteer event is a meaningful way to honor those who selflessly serve our country and communities, ensuring their dedication and courage are always remembered and celebrated. At Tractor Supply, we are committed to giving back and making a positive impact on the communities we call home.”
- Colin Yankee, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Tractor Supply Company,
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“At Pfizer, living out our purpose extends well-beyond the workplace. We’re proud to partner with 9/11 Day, for the 7th year, and join thousands of volunteers across the country to honor those we lost, while working together to create lasting, positive change in the communities where we work and live—and beyond.”
- Dezarie Mayers, Director, Colleague Community Engagement Programs
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“It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure the stories of resilience and goodwill that was born out of tragedy 23 years ago are kept alive as the years and generations pass us by. Committing to an act of service, big or small, is a powerful way to both honor those we lost and remind us of our common humanity.”
- Thomas Michaud, KBW CEO and Board Director of 9/11 Day
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9/11 Day is the respected national nonprofit that founded and annually-organizes the federally-recognized September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance (widely referred to as "9/11 Day"). The mission of 9/11 Day is to inspire millions of Americans to rekindle the remarkable spirit of unity and compassion that arose in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, and to encourage good deeds and other acts of service in tribute to the 9/11 victims, survivors, first responders, and members of our military who bravely rose in service in response to the attacks. 9/11 Day organizes large volunteer service projects across America, and provides free educational materials to schools to help educators teach children about 9/11 in constructive ways and engage them in good deed projects. Visit 911day.org to learn more.
Contact Details
9/11 Day
Sunshine Sachs c/o Carlos Peraza or Jena Doyle
+1 212-691-2800
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