FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sep 10, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, AmeriCorps Acting CEO Mal Coles released the following statement:

“On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives and another 6,000 were injured on a defining day for a generation of Americans. This was one of our country’s darkest moments, and we will never forget the sacrifices made that day.

“But I also remember, clearly, how we as a nation came together afterward to help one another and rise from this tragedy. To commemorate the spirit of sacrifice of our first responders, AmeriCorps is humbled to help honor those heroes by again uniting the country through service, wherever we are.

“The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, which was spearheaded by the families of the 9/11 victims to honor their loved ones, allows us to turn a day of tragedy into a day of action. In the midst of a pandemic, we need that spirit more than ever. If there was ever a time our country needed to show resilience and unity, it is now.

“Together, we’ll rekindle that spirit of unity that swept the nation 20 years ago and honor our heroes who demonstrated to all of us that even on its worst day, America can show its best.”

Earlier, AmeriCorps announced a partnership with VolunteerMatch to create a new robust search tool to host and share volunteer opportunities from around the country. In addition to opportunities through AmeriCorps and VolunteerMatch, users will find service roles from Idealist, California Volunteers, JustServe, MENTOR, and Volunteer.gov.

The public can search for volunteer projects in their communities, contribute an act of good, or make a pledge to serve in the future.