9/11 Day Leaders Call on Americans to Observe the 16th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks as a National Day of Unity and Service

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 9/11 Day leaders, who founded the federally-recognized September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, are calling upon all Americans to observe the upcoming 16^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks as a national day of unity and charitable service.

"On 9/11, and in its aftermath, we were reminded once again that America is at its best when we come together and focus on our common humanity, embracing and respecting our differences as we pursue solutions to our challenges," said Jay S. Winuk, co-founder and executive vice president of the nonprofit 9/11 Day and who lost his brother, Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney and volunteer firefighter and EMT who died in the line of duty on 9/11.  "For 9/11 this year, and especially in light of current events, we hope all Americans will take that sentiment to heart, and pay tribute by joining together and spending the day performing good deeds."

9/11 Day organizers are also calling upon Americans to share personal messages and prayers on September 11, through 911day.org, and to observe six moments of silence that occur on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. These happen (all ET) at: 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:37 a.m., 9:59 a.m., 10:03 a.m., and 10:28 a.m.  9/11 Day leaders are inviting those on social media to post or share #momentofsilence, #911day, #neverforget at each of these times, and remain silent on social media for 60 seconds thereafter.

Meals Packed for Food-challenged New Yorkers and Hurricane Harvey Victims

In New York, more than 2,500 volunteers, including Wounded Warriors, military veterans, members of many different faith-based groups, employers and employees, various nonprofit organizations and other New Yorkers, will join together in a show of unity on September 11, assembling more than 500,000 meals in observance of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance ("9/11 Day").  These pre-packaged meals will be distributed by City Harvest and Food Bank of New York to individuals in need in the NYC area. Tens of thousands of the packed meals will also be provided as emergency food supplies to assist the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Houston and surrounding areas.

Principal funding for 9/11 Day in 2017 is provided by Citi Foundation; American Express Company; and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

During one of the meal-packing shifts cast members from the Tony Award-winning musical COME FROM AWAY, which plays at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, will perform "Prayer" from the show, the lyrics and spirit of which are directly relevant to the mission of 9/11 Day. COME FROM AWAY tells the extraordinary true story of the 7,000 airline passengers who were stranded in in Gander, Canada, in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and how the town welcomed them with generosity, compassion and friendship.

The NYC Meal Pack for 9/11 Day is being led by the 9/11 Day nonprofit, with U.S. Hunger.  Co-hosts of the event include NYC Service; New York Cares; National September 11 Memorial & Museum; Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; UJA Federation of New York; Catholic Charities of New York; Islamic Relief USA; and the Wounded Warrior Project.

"We've seen first-hand how volunteer service has the power to transform communities," said Brandee McHale, president of the Citi Foundation. "On this year's 9/11 Day of Service, we will once again join together as Citi colleagues, and family and friends to translate our grief and somber reflection into action that can have a positive impact here in New York City and across the country."

"As a founding sponsor of 9/11 Day, American Express is proud of the public advocacy that has grown for this movement," said Timothy J. McClimon, president of the American Express Foundation. "Our company has always viewed community service as essential to breaking down barriers. We hope efforts like these will continue to bring people of all backgrounds together in support of critical causes."

"In the dark days following September 11, Americans came together as a country to show that we are there for each other," said Kim Mansaray, acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "We see this same spirit of service in the extraordinary acts of neighbor helping neighbor and stranger helping stranger in communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. I am proud that so many Americans choose to dedicate this day to give back in honor of the victims and heroes of September 11. This is America at its best."

30 Million Americans Expected to Participate in 9/11 Day; Teaching Tools for Teachers

Research conducted bi-annually by Los Angeles-based Horizon Consumer Science, on behalf of 9/11 Day, reveals that 28 million Americans annually observe the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance ("9/11 Day") by volunteering, supporting charities, and performing other good deeds. As such, 9/11 Day is the nation's largest annual day of charitable engagement.

Americans from all 50 states are expected to participate in 9/11 Day this year. In Washington, DC, for example, more than 5,000 volunteers will be on the National Mall over two days, September 10 and 11, packing over one million meals at a 9/11 project organized by AARP. In other cities and towns across the country, including Boston, Phoenix, Austin,  Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco and many other cities, Americans will pause to serve in remembrance of the events and victims of 9/11, with many helping to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

"The way people are joining together in response to Hurricane Harvey to help each other, regardless of race, religion or other differences, is yet another a reminder that, in the final analysis, we are all bonded by our common humanity," said David Paine, president of 9/11 Day. "We hope that the 2017 9/11 Day observance will again provide inspiration to encourage all Americans to remember the importance of valuing and treating each other with respect and kindness every day of the year."

A  listing of volunteer opportunities, along with lesson plans, photos, videos, and other resources and toolkits for individuals, parents, teachers and organizations, are available free of charge at 911day.org. Teachers can also enter to win a free trip to visit the September 11 National Memorial & Museum in New York at 911day.org/NYCTrip.

To request press credentials, please contact 9/[email protected].

Media and the public alike are encouraged to share the message of unity and service via social media at:

Twitter: @911Day
Instagram: @911_Day
Facebook: facebook.com/911day
Hashtag: #911Day

About 9/11 Day
The "9/11 Day" observance, created in 2002 and organized each year by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization MyGoodDeed (d.b.a. "9/11 Day"), has redefined how many Americans perceive and observe the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.  Recognized officially under bi-partisan federal law in 2009, 9/11 Day has grown to become the nation's largest annual day of charitable engagement.  For more information, visit 911day.org, or email [email protected]. People can also follow 9/11 Day on Facebook (www.facebook.com/911day), Twitter (@911day) and Instagram (@911_day).

In addition to Citi Foundation, American Express and the Corporation for National & Community Service, other major funders include:  Holland & Knight, LLP; JP Morgan Chase; Clarion Partners; Catholic Charities of New York; UJA Federation of New York; Islamic Relief USA; Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; Global Brands Group; iHeart Media; National Football League; Grey Advertising/NY; National Association of Broadcasters; New York Stock Exchange; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods; and EventGrid.

Media Contacts
Sunshine Sachs
Leah Nelson / Emily Walsh / Julia Engelbrecht
9/[email protected] / 212.691.2800

SOURCE 9/11 Day

Related Links

http://911day.org