9/11: A Day to Remember and Serve

Today, our nation remembers the tragedies of the morning of September 11, 2001. On this day, our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives and the grieving loved ones they left behind.

This day – September 11 – is also recognized as our National Day of Service and Remembrance, where the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency, helps more than 5 million Americans improve the lives of their fellow citizens through service. Working hand in hand with local corporate and social philanthropy partners, they tap the ingenuity and can-do spirit of the American people to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation.

As Joe Daniels, President of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, reminds us, one of the most powerful ways of annual commemoration is performing acts of service in our communities in remembrance of the victims of 9/11 – memorializing those who were killed, honoring the sacrifices of the first responders and remembering the spirit of unity that emerged in the aftermath of 9/11.

This is also an opportunity for corporations across America to honor our nation’s victims and heroes through corporate philanthropy, workplace giving and volunteering initiatives such as educating school children about the events of the day, providing for those in need, helping prepare our communities for emergencies, showing appreciation for our troops that are combating terrorism to keep us safe or even making our communities better through greening initiatives. Corporate and individual volunteers can find volunteering opportunities or pledge to do a good deed through the 9/11 Good Deed Challenge, and spread the word through social media.

So this 9/11/2015, do the right thing – go ahead, get involved in making our nation and its communities stronger. Through acts big and small, dedicate this day of service to our fallen heroes and make a lasting difference in your community.