A grassroots initiative to turn the anniversary of September 11 into a day of national unity and community service was launched over two decades ago by two founders seeking to honor the past while fostering collective action. The effort, spearheaded by an organization established shortly after the attacks, aims to shift the focus from remembrance alone to tangible acts of kindness and solidarity. With roots in personal loss—one of the founders’ brothers was directly affected by the events—this movement encourages individuals to participate in volunteer work as a way to uphold the spirit of resilience. The concept reflects a deliberate effort to channel collective grief into meaningful, ongoing contributions.

The idea to commemorate the anniversary by making Sept. 11 a day of unity and doing good deeds was that of David Paine and Jay Winuk, who founded the organization 9/11 Day in 2002. Jay's brother Glenn ...