9/11 Day nonprofit will host large-scale volunteer service projects in 18 cities for 9/11 in partnership with the federal agency AmeriCorps, NFL and NHL sports teams, and other prominent partners More than 20,000 volunteers, involving 400 companies, schools, nonprofits, and sports teams, plan to participate in coast-to-coast events in tribute, packing 6.5 million meals for Americans in need
New York, NY
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August 28, 2023 10:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time
9/11 Day, the nonprofit which founded and worked successfully to establish September 11 as an annual National Day of Service and Remembrance under federal law, today announced that it will stage 18 large-scale volunteer projects across the nation in observance of the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
More than 20,000 volunteers are expected to participate – the largest number of volunteers ever to sign up for 9/11 Day’s annual meal packing program. 9/11 Day also estimates that, in total, 30 million Americans or more are expected to mark the anniversary of 9/11 by doing good deeds, making September 11 the nation’s largest annual day of charitable engagement.
All 18 of 9/11 Day’s Meal Packs will take place on Monday, September 11, 2023. The New York City Meal Pack for 9/11 Day – the largest event of its type in the nation – will take place over two days, September 11 and 12, aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the famous now-retired aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan.
More than 4,500 volunteers representing 120 NY-metro area employers and organizations are expected to participate, packing as many as 1.5 million meals for New Yorkers at risk of hunger.
All of the meals packed across the nation will be donated for September’s “Hunger Action Month,” to benefit local Feeding America-affiliated and other food banks that serve these communities.
9/11 Day is partnering with US Hunger, Meals of Hope, Kids Around the World, and The Pack Shack to source the food ingredients that will be assembled into the meals, and to manage meal packing logistics.
Locations of this year’s annual 9/11 Day Meal Pack projects are: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, DC.
Many of the 9/11 Day Meal Packs will be co-hosted or supported by professional sports teams at stadiums, arenas and other prominent venues. These include Lincoln Financial Field with the Philadelphia Eagles, Mercedes Benz Stadium with AMB Sports + Entertainment, 1STBANK Center with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, and Colorado Mammoth), Enterprise Center with the St. Louis Blues, Yuengling Arena with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Cleveland Browns Stadium, NRG Stadium, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, Agganis Arena with Boston University, and other well-known locations.
Funding for these events is being provided under a grant from AmeriCorps, the governmental agency that oversees the nation’s federal volunteer service programs, along with private sector support from more than 400 companies that have signed on to provide financial assistance, as well as engage their employees as volunteers in the meal packs.
These include principal funders Citi, United Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., and KPMG. Other prominent organizations also supporting the 9/11 Day Meal Packs nationally include Nestlé, Stifel, Mizuho, Pfizer, Delta Air Lines, Holland & Knight LLP, Morgan Lewis, RBC and City National Bank, Target, Fox Corporation, SRS Distribution, Zurich Insurance Group, Munich Re US P&C Companies, and IHeart Radio.
Turning a Day of Tragedy into a Day of Doing Good
Founded by two friends, David Paine and Jay Winuk, soon after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the 9/11 Day nonprofit has gradually transformed the 9/11 anniversary into the largest Day of Service in the United States, now recognized under federal law. Millions of Americans annually observe 9/11 by volunteering, donating to charities of their choice, or engaging in other “good deeds,” many of which are now shared through social media messages posted on September 11, using the hashtag #IWillFor911Day.
September 11 and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday are the only federally designated Days of Service in U.S. history.
“Our mission from the outset has been to turn the 9/11 anniversary into a day of doing good, to ensure that something positive comes from the loss of so many people in such a horrible way,” said David Paine, president and co-founder of 9/11 Day. “Each 9/11 we seek to remind all Americans that what we have in common as human beings is far more important and powerful than our perceived differences.”
“My brother Glenn Winuk, an attorney and longtime volunteer firefighter/EMT, courageously gave his life on 9/11 in service to others,” said Jay S. Winuk, 9/11 Day executive vice president and co-founder. “This observance is a fitting, inspiring and productive way for millions of Americans to ‘never forget,’ and to honor those killed, sickened, and injured as a result of the 9/11 attacks, and pay tribute to the countless others who rose in service to assist in the rescue and recovery effort and to defend our nation.”
“Our lives have been shaped by how we, as a country, came together to respond in the wake of 9/11,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps, which provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. “Through a spirit of unity and an enduring commitment to our most cherished values, the 9/11 Day of Service provides Americans an opportunity to reflect, remember and take action, knowing we’re unstoppable when we stand together.”
Engaging the Next Generation of Americans in 9/11 Day
Today, one-third of the nation is under the age of 25 – 99,000,000 Americans with no memories of 9/11. Appropriately, 9/11 Day continues to focus heavily on teaching young Americans about the events of 9/11 through messages that promote service and unity.
“It is important that future generations of Americans learn not just about the tragedy itself, but also about how the nature of that event brought us together briefly as a nation, where we weren’t Red States or Blue States. We were the United States,” Paine said.
On the organization's website, 911day.org, teachers and others can access a wealth of free educational materials, lesson plans, videos, other activities for students K-12. On Monday, September 11, 9/11 Day will also co-host a free webinar for teachers and students K-12 in partnership with Microsoft’s educational service organization “Flip.” The event, entitled “9/11 Day and the Power of Good Deeds,” will feature Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of NBC's TODAY Show, and the daughter of former President George W. Bush, who was in office at the time of the 9/11 tragedy. Teachers interested in the webinar can register and find more information at 911day.org/teachers.
In addition, 9/11 Day will be coordinating 12 9/11 Day-related meal packing volunteer events for the first time on 11 college campuses, including at University of Alabama Birmingham, Illinois State University, Monroe College, Prairie View A&M University, Ross State University, University of New England, Boise State University, Harding University, Morgan State University, The Ohio State University, and University of North Georgia.
Beginning this week, to help build awareness of the upcoming 9/11 Day observance, the 9/11 Day organization began distributing new 30-second national television and radio public service messages, featuring 9/11 family members, first responders and survivors, encouraging Americans to join together in unity and service in tribute for the 9/11 anniversary. The new PSA campaign is supported by Extreme Reach, National Association of Broadcasters, iHeartRadio, and Nielsen. All of the spots are available for download at the NAB Spot Center, and by contacting Extreme Reach.
About 911 Day
The 9/11 Day observance was inspired by the spirit of unity, service and shared humanity that arose in the United States and spread around the world following the events of September 11, 2001. Today, the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance - also known as 9/11 Day - stands as a permanent tribute to those lost and injured, and those who rose in service in response to the tragedy. As the largest day of service in the U.S., 9/11 Day reminds us that coming together in a spirit of kindness, no matter our differences, has the power to change lives and, ultimately, our world.
Comments from 9/11 Day’s Leading Sponsors:
JPMorgan Chase:
“We honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11 by putting our values into action and participating in this meaningful, purpose-driven volunteer event. It is a privilege to serve alongside hundreds of New Yorkers to pack meals for food insecure families and individuals, and reflect on the importance of service in recognition of the selfless acts of so many on that day.”
- Monica Nation, Regional Director for JPMorgan Chase’s Community & Consumer Bank in New York and co-chair of the firm’s New York City Market Leadership Team
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.:
“Reliance serves to show that we will never forget – not just those lost on 9/11, responders and survivors, but those in need every day, in our communities. This year, the Reliance Family of Companies is proud to expand our participation to meal pack events across the country.”
- Karla Lewis, President and Chief Executive Officer
Citi:
“For years, 9/11 Day of Service events have given Citi volunteers the opportunity to remember those lost and honor their memories by giving back, both in New York City and around the country. It’s a privilege to lend our support once again this year.”
- Edward Skyler, Head of Enterprise Services and Public Affairs, Citi
KPMG:
“At KPMG, positively impacting our communities is at the core of who we are and how we live our values. We are proud to team up with 9/11 Day and honor those we love, our heroic first-responders, and all who will be forever impacted by the events of September 11 by supporting equitable access to food through packing meals for those in need.”
- Jennifer Flynn Dear, KPMG Managing Director, Community Impact & Alumni Strategies
Contact Details
9/11 Day
David Paine
+1 949-233-0050
Company Website
