About 9/11 Day
Two decades ago on September 11, 2001, many lost their lives to the 9/11 attacks. To honor the spirit of sacrifice made that day and the sacrifices that continue to be made by members of the armed forces and their families, we honor those heroes by uniting in service and volunteerism throughout our communities.
Beginning in 2002, family members who lost loved ones lead the effort for an appropriate and fitting tribute to honor their loved ones and those who volunteered to serve our country in response to the tragedy. The leadership and efforts of these family members resulted in the legislative establishment of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance in April 2009. AmeriCorps was charged with supporting this effort across the county.
Each year, AmeriCorps works with 9/11Day.org, our grantees and partners, faith-based, local, and national organizations to expand volunteering to honor the sacrifice of the families affected by September 11, 2001.
This year, the 9/11 Day of Service is Monday, September 11. You and your partners are encouraged to engage in service on this day and the days surrounding.
Communication Resources
Access our social press kit to find messaging, communication resources, social media, graphics, and more.
Project Ideas and Tips
Find self-starter project ideas, tips, and resources to get started planning your 9/11 Day project below. Consider adding a moment of silence to your project to honor those we lost and their families.
Remember to register your service project with us so we can help spread the word about your event and inspire others to serve.
Assist with Job Readiness
Help people in your community get job ready:
- Resume writing
- Interview skills
- Dressing for success
- Research training programs
- Help individuals complete a job application or application for a training program
Address Food Insecurity
- Serve meals at a homeless shelter
- Bring meals to homebound neighbors and consider signing up to be a regular volunteer with local meal delivery services like Meals on Wheels
- Organize a food drive or even start or plan a community garden. When organizing a food drive make sure to check with you local food pantry or food bank to see what’s needed.
- Teach healthy eating on a budget
Promote Healthy Futures
- Help others get vaccinated or find a testing location
Do you know individuals who have not yet gotten a COVID-19 vaccine? You can serve others by helping them get vaccinated. Find tools to help you have a conversation, and use these resources to find a vaccine location near you or a COVID test. - Arrange a health fair or dental clinic
- Organize a blood donor drive
- Register bone marrow and organ donors
- Organize a drug take back
- You can find a collection site near you. Click on the collection site locator and input your information.
Beautify the Community
- Remove graffiti from a building and paint a mural
- Create community green spaces by planting trees, grass, and flowers, especially in locations that may lack adequate green space
- Reclaim a park or abandoned space for community use
- Become a volunteer with a local, state, or national park
Prepare the Community for Emergency and Crisis Situations
- Join your neighbors for a meeting to assess your community's disaster preparedness and take steps to support improvements. Find more information at Ready.gov.
- Distribute fire safety information and check for working smoke detectors
- Make and distribute disaster preparedness kits
- Host working sessions to help economically vulnerable citizens
- Share resources or apps that neighbors can use to help each other if disaster strikes
- Be your own first responder
- Check out tools and information about disaster and emergencies planning
Support Those Recovering from Disaster
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster serves as a clearing house for anyone who wants to help communities and individuals recover from disasters. Learn about what you can do.
Provide Other Community Service to Neighbors and Families
- Help low-income families find free tax preparation services and take advantage of the earned income tax credit
- Shovel elderly neighbors' walkways, clear leaves or help with other yard maintenance
- Participate in or create a neighborhood watch program
- Install smoke detectors or distribute batteries and install new batteries for those who have detectors. (Check with your local Red Cross and/or Fire Department to understand the greatest need.)
- Weatherize homes (Local churches may have a good idea of community members who need assistance.)
- Collect school supplies and deliver them to a local school (be sure to check what is needed first COVID-19 may have changed what schools need)
- Sign up to be a mentor or tutor (this can be done virtually)
- Check with your local fire station and see if you can organize a fall clean up or serve them a meal
- Arrange a visit to a veterans’ center. You can also check with the center to see if they need personal care items and launch a collection drive
- Arrange a visit or a virtual visit to a senior citizen center or send cards to residents/clients of a senior center
Webinars
Taking the Long Road: Trust Building through National Days of Service
Thursday, July 11, 3 p.m.– 4:30 p.m. ET
Explore how faith and NGO partners approach interfaith service and volunteerism to reach broader and more diverse audiences. Participants will share how intentional relationship building, allyship, and reflection are key tools to unite diverse voices in the name of helping others.
9/11 Project Ideas: Meeting a Need
Wednesday, July 17, 3 p.m. ET
Reflection Resources for Your Day of Service
Thursday, July 25, 3 p.m. ET
Connecting the Dots – Using Our Marketing Tools and Working With Elected Officials
Thursday, Aug. 1, 3 p.m. ET