The deadliest terrorist attack in world history happened on American soil on Sept. 11, 2001, killing almost 3,000 people in Lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and in western Pennsylvania.
Dubbed Patriot Day and proclaimed as a “national day of prayer and remembrance,” 9/11 is not an official federal holiday. The reasons are varied, and there are multiple arguments made both for and against treating the tragedy like Veterans Day or Memorial Day.
Semantics aside, as the 25th anniversary of one of the darkest moments in American history nears, national organizations like 9/11 Day and Meadowlands Chamber’s Allison Sargent, founder and CEO of Allison Sargent Events, aim to rally mourners to mark this solemn terrorist act as a unifying day of service, empathy, and good deeds.
Service and Good Deeds in NJ and Across U.S.
Across the United States, approximately 50,000 volunteers in over 50 cities will gather together on Sept. 11 to pack more than 20 million shelf-stable meals. Some 283,500 meals will stay local to benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Organizers expect it will be the single largest day of corporate volunteerism.
“Our goal is to transform the 9/11 anniversary, for all time, into an annual moment of national reflection, unity and doing good in tribute to the 9/11 victims, their families, and the many first responders, recovery workers, volunteers, and military personnel who rose in service in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. We want to reclaim the day,” said David Paine, president and co-founder of 9/11 Day.
Also helping the movement take off is stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Pete Davidson, whose father, Scott Davidson, was a firefighter killed in the line of duty on 9/11.
“9/11 will always be a hard day. But I also grew up seeing what came after — people showing up for each other. Twenty-five years later, we can honor the people we lost by doing the same for our community,” Davidson said.
The video he posted on 911day.org encourages Americans to join him in honoring those lost and affected by the attacks, “not only through remembrance, but through action.”
Meadowlands Meal Pack: How You Can Help
Sargent is co-hosting the NJ 9.11 Day of Service, which features volunteer projects in the Meadowlands and other locations across the state, Sept. 9-11. Sign up with her group on Instagram here.
The Event Support Team in the Meadowlands is looking for 145 volunteers on Wednesday, Sept. 9, starting at 7:30 a.m. at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Event Support Volunteers will receive food, water, and a T-shirt.
“Event Support Volunteers do not pack individual meals but instead are the support and backbone to the event’s success, helping welcome participants, lead meal-packing teams, keep supplies moving, and ensure the event runs smoothly. Volunteers must be 18+, and all positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis,” said Gianna Grijalva with 9/11 Day.
The food will be donated to Feeding America–affiliated food banks and other hunger relief organizations that serve these local communities, according to a statement. 9/11 Day is partnering with U.S. Hunger, Kids Around The World, and Meals of Hope to source food supplies and manage logistics for this year’s 9/11 Day Meal Pack projects.
For more information about the organization and additional volunteer opportunities click here.
