The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups, who worked to establish the charitable service day as a forward-looking way to honor 9/11 victims, survivors, and others who rose up in service in response to the attacks.

In 2009, Congress designated September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with supporting this effort across the country. For the anniversary, CNCS is working with numerous organizations to implement one of the largest days of charitable service in U.S. history.
 

Paying Tribute

On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Americans will unite in service in the same remarkable way that so many came together following the attacks.

As in years past, we anticipate service and remembrance activities in all 50 states, at which there will be opportunities for hundreds of thousands of volunteers to paint and refurbish homes, run food drives, spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and support and honor veterans, soldiers, military families, and first responders. To find opportunities to serve during this year’s September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance, you can look for projects using the project locator tool. Or, to organize a service project in your area, find toolkits and other resources here.

Highlights from last year’s day of service and remembrance included:

• The First Family served together at a DC Central Kitchen.
• More than 200 Administration staff participated in service activities including Cabinet Secretaries and senior Administration officials.
• A special 10th Anniversary Challenge was introduced, awarding $500,000 to secure a legacy for future September 11th Day activities.
• More than 30 state service commissions received funds from CNCS to implement service and remembrance activities.
• An unprecedented effort was led by MyGoodDeed and HandsOn Network, engaging many nonprofit organizations, building substantial financial and volunteer support from the corporate sector, and partnering with CNCS. Their "I Will" Tribute movement set out a goal of making the 10th anniversary the single largest day of charitable activity in the nation.

Many people were moved to act in the days following the attacks of 2001 and long after. CNCS gathered stories of people whose lives and paths were changed by 9/11, and who have dedicated themselves to service as a result.

September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance
10th Anniversary Challenge Winners: Continuing the Work in 2012

On the 10th anniversary of the attacks, CNCS issued a challenge encouraging organizations to effectively engage individuals in service to their communities during the National Day of Service and Remembrance, and compete for grant awards.

CNCS awarded 14 grants -- ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 -- to organizations so they could expand their September 11th Day activities in future years. You can visit these organizations’ websites to find out more about what they are doing and how you can get involved with their September 11, 2012 activities.
 

Stories from the National Service Blog
 

Posted on 9/12/2011

Posted on 9/12/2011

Posted on 9/12/2011

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