#11DaysofKindness: How You Can Help Pay It Forward 9/11

PAY IT FORWARD 9/11 INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN

“11 DAYS OF KINDNESS” SEPT. 1-11, 2023

All are encouraged to put their hometown on the PayItForward911.org kindness map by registering their deeds based on where they are from and share with #PayItForward911

The 21st annual Pay it Forward 9/11 campaign is underway, inviting groups, businesses and individuals to share their commitment to acts of kindness on an online map and start planning their “11 Days of Kindness” (September 1st-11th) activities to remember one of America’s darkest days in US history. Each year, leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, people are encouraged to perform three random acts of kindness for strangers for #11DaysOfKindness.

WHY:

Created in tribute to the compassionate people of small towns in the island province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Pay It Forward 9/11 was started in 2002 by Kevin Tuerff, an airline passenger stranded there, wondering if others would do the same where they lived.

WHO: Kevin Tuerff is president and founder of Pay it Forward 9/11. According to Kevin, “Our 11 Days of Kindness campaign is just one way to honor and never forget those killed in 2001 on 9/11, and also the heroes who volunteered with acts of compassion, much like what I experienced when my 9/11 Trans-Atlantic flight was diverted to an island province in Canada. Thousands of unexpected airline travelers were provided basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter for five days in those small Canadian towns.”

WHAT:

Ways you can pay it forward:

1. Visit your neighborhood where you work or live, and perform random acts of kindness where you see someone struggling or needing assistance (package, door, give them a flower, smile, or sing to them randomly!).

2. Give a donation to a charity you feel connected to

3. Write thank you notes to first responders, healthcare heroes, active duty military, or other essential workers.

4. When you visit Starbucks or another coffee shop, offer to purchase the beverage for the person behind you in line and see if the idea sticks around for others.

5. At a restaurant or bar, ask the wait staff to pick up the tab from a nearby table of strangers for you to buy. In the bill holder, insert a “Smile you’re the recipient of a random act of kindness” card (available here).

THREE ASKS:

• Do a random act of kindness

• Share your kindness story by registering on our website (payitforward911.org)

• Post your Pay it Forward 9/11 action on your social media channels, using #PayitForward911 and #neverforget - we will share.

SPONSORS:

The 21st anniversary of Pay it Forward 9/11 is generously supported by the writers of Come From Away musical and by Dell Technologies, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Gallin & Son.

Learn more at http://payitforward911.org or on the organization’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube sites to be inspired by others with additional Pay it Forward inspiration.

Note: Pay it Forward 9/11, Inc. is a nonprofit organization registered in the State of New York, and is a 501(c)3 organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions are tax-deductible. For additional questions or partnership ideas, email info@payitforward911.org.

Six Things Your Organization Can Do to Pay It Forward

1. Become an internal champion for Pay it Forward 9/11 within your organization. Start by adding the event to a company calendar. Share the Pay it Forward 9/11 videos, powerpoint deck and website with key influencers within your organization to get their buy-in and commitment to participate.

2. Get appropriate approval from the appropriate executive (or principal, pastor, etc.) to publicly commit the organization as a participant and register at Payitforward911.org. We will list the organization on a US map on our website and may list in press releases, social media or other publicity. An organization doesn’t have to close down to allow people to participate. Over the years, many will perform their three good deeds on a lunch break or before coming to the office.

3. Starting no later than September 1, educate all teams about Pay it Forward 9/11. Remind people about current pandemic public health guidelines. Encourage participants to post photos of their actions on social media using #payitforward911. Ask your organization’s social media manager to follow and share posts from us. We understand some people don’t like to promote their good deeds on social media. That’s fine! When someone does post, it immediately inspires others to join in.

4. On September 9th and 10th, send email reminders and tips to your teams.

5. No later than Monday, Sept. 13, organize a debrief meeting of your participants, either in-person or on a Zoom meeting. Let everyone briefly share their actions and their overall observations. Hint: you may want to stock up on tissues as people share their simple yet emotional connections with humanity.

6. Email a brief written summary of your team/organization’s results to Pay it Forward 9/11 headquarters by Sept. 15.

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