For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Julie Dennehy, julie@dennehypr.com

Pay It Forward 9/11 Invites All To Join the Kindness Movement and Participate in 11 Days of Kindness 2025

NEW YORK (May 13, 2025) – Each year leading up to the anniversary of 9/11, people are encouraged to perform three random acts of kindness for strangers for #11DaysOfKindness. The 24th annual Pay it Forward 9/11 campaign invites groups, schools, businesses and individuals to share their commitment to September acts of kindness and start planning their activities to remember one of America’s darkest days in US history.

Pay It Forward 9/11 was founded in 2002 by Kevin Tuerff, an airline passenger stranded on 9/11 in Gander Newfoundland, wondering if others would do the same where they lived. Tuerff, supported by a collection of 9/11 survivors and kind friends, created the nonprofit charity in tribute to the compassionate people of small towns in the island province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

“During those dark days, we pledged to never forget those lives taken on 9/11 and the kindness and bravery of helpers and first responders,” said Kevin Tuerff, president and founder of Pay it Forward 9/11. “Our 11 Days of Kindness campaign honors those killed in 2001 on 9/11, and also the heroes who volunteered with acts of compassion. In my case, thousands of unexpected travelers like me who were stranded in Newfoundland were provided the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter for five days by locals, and their kindness continues decades later through the relationships built during that challenging time.”

How you can Pay It Forward this September:

1. Download and share our free #11DaysofKindness resources and lesson plans from PayItForward911.org and share with your school, house of worship, scout troop, or other community organization.

2. Write thank you notes to first responders, healthcare heroes, military or essential workers.

3. Buy a tank of gas for a stranger at the gas pump.

4. Pay for a beverage for the person behind you in line and invite them to “pay it forward”.

5. Ask restaurant or bar wait staff if you can pick up the tab for a nearby table. In the bill holder, insert a card that says “Smile! You’re the recipient of a random act of kindness” (available on our website payitforward911.org).

6. Share your kindness story on your social media channels using #PayitForward911 and #neverforget so we can share. Learn more at http://payitforward911.org or on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube to be inspired with additional Pay it Forward 9/11 content.

The 24th anniversary of Pay it Forward 9/11 is supported by the Come From Away musical and Junkyard Dog Productions as well as Gallin & Son, Dell, and Air Canada. Sponsorships are still available for 2025 and for the 25th anniversary campaign in 2026. 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.

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