NEWS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Julie Dennehy, Dennehy Public Relations
julie@dennehypr.com
Giveaway URL: https://payitforward911.betterworld.org/giveaways/great-gander-getaway-giveaway-se-2
Pay It Forward 9/11 Hosts Great Gander Getaway Giveaway
One Lucky Winner Will Receive a Free Trip to Newfoundland and a Real-Life “Come From Away” Experience; Entry Deadline is September 30, 2026 after 25th Anniversary of 9/11/01
NEW YORK (July 1, 2026) – Pay it Forward 9/11, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting kindness and unity through service, announced today the launch of another Great Gander Getaway Giveaway, an extraordinary opportunity for one lucky winner and their guest to experience the heartfelt hospitality of Gander, Newfoundland, the true story behind the Tony® Award-winning musical Come From Away. This year’s giveaway is provided thanks to the generosity of Air Canada.
The sweepstakes runs August 3rd through September 30th. No purchase is necessary to enter, and all donations to enter support Pay it Forward 9/11, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encouraging acts of kindness to honor the lives lost in the September 11 attacks of 2001, 25 years ago this September.
Kevin Tuerff, the “real Kevin T” portrayed in the musical, and founder of Pay it Forward 9/11 will be greeting theatre patrons all over the US and Canada this year to share stories from his memoir, “Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11” and promote The Great Gander Getaway Giveaway through September 30th.
After the closing performance of Come From Away at Paper Mill Playhouse, the winner will be selected randomly through Betterworld on September 30, 2026. For official rules and to enter, visit PayitForward911.betterworld.org .
Contest details: The Great Gander Getaway Giveaway prize package is valued at $5,000 (estimated) and includes:
· Two (2) free roundtrip airline tickets from any U.S. airport to Newfoundland, courtesy of Air Canada valid through September 30, 2027
· Two (2) nights lodging at a hotel in Gander
· Two (2) tickets to Come From Away–You Are Here (subject to musical’s 2027 schedule)
· Guided local tours, including Gander International Airport, a meet-and-greet with real people portrayed in the musical
· Screech-in ceremony at Canadian Legion with “real characters” Beulah Cooper, Brian Mosher, & retired constable Os Fudge
· Dinner with retired mayor of Gander Claude Elliott
· Two tickets to the North Atlantic Aviation Museum
· Supper at Little Cobb’s Pond at the home of author Mac Moss, and a signed copy of his book Flown into the Arms of Angels
· Signed copy of Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11 by Kevin Tuerff, founder of Pay it Forward 9/11
See website for travel details. Travel is subject to availability in the applicable Air Canada booking class. Travel must be completed between 9/30/26 and 9/30/27. Note: Local transportation is coordinated in Gander. Rental cars are not provided for those flying into St. John’s.
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.
Pay it Forward 9/11 is supported by the producers of the Come From Away musical (Junkyard Dog Productions), Gallin & Son, and Air Canada. 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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Global A Cappella Movement Launched to Honor 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Through Zak Abel’s “Be Kind” Song
Release Dated February 1, 2026
Pay It Forward 9/11 and Global Acapella Producer Deke Sharon, Sony Music to Mobilize Hundreds of Singers for “11 Days of Kindness” Campaign
NEW YORK, NY — In a powerful fusion of harmony and humanity, Pay It Forward 9/11 and Pitch Perfect vocal producer Deke Sharon are proud to announce a global partnership to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. This year, the organizations will launch a worldwide call to action, engaging hundreds of a cappella groups to perform Zak Abel’s hit anthem, “Be Kind,” as the cornerstone of the annual "11 Days of Kindness" initiative (September 1st—11th). Groups will also be encouraged to perform random acts of kindness for strangers to inspire common human decency and unity.
Through a special agreement, Sony Music and the song’s writer
Zak Abel and Sony Music have generously donated the performance rights to “Be Kind” for this campaign. The song was streamed an estimated 58 million times and his music video was viewed 2.5 million times. This contribution allows student, amateur, and professional vocal groups across the globe to record and share their renditions of the beautiful kindness song without licensing hurdles, creating a digital wave of compassion leading up to the September 11, 2026 anniversary.
A Global Harmony for Remembrance
Since 2002, Pay It Forward 9/11 has inspired people to perform "ripple effect" acts of kindness to honor those lost and the heroes who responded. For the 25th anniversary, the partnership with Total Vocal—a leader in the global contemporary a cappella community—scales this mission through the universal language of music.
* The Global Anthem: Groups from every continent are invited to record "Be Kind."
* The 11-Day Kindness Nudge: Starting September 1, social media will be flooded with these vocal performances, encouraging viewers to perform their own acts of service.
* The Composite Video: On September 1, 2026, a "mega-mix" music video featuring hundreds of voices joined in a single, virtual choir will be released globally to kick off the month of remembrance.
Voices of Leadership
"Music has a unique ability to heal and unite where words often fail," said Kevin Tuerff, Founder of Pay It Forward 9/11. "By partnering with Total Vocal and Sony Music, we are turning a day of profound loss into a global symphony of kindness. Twenty-five years later, our message remains clear: we remember by doing good."
"The a cappella community is a family built around listening and blending together," added Deke Sharon, best known for his work on the Pitch Perfect films and NBC’s “Sing Off”. "To have hundreds of groups singing Zak Abel’s ‘Be Kind’ creates a massive, resonant reminder of our shared humanity. We are honored to raise our voices together for this tribute."
How to Participate
A cappella groups interested in joining the movement can download the official arrangement and submission guidelines at payitforward911.org/bekind. Participation is free, and groups are encouraged to share their individual videos using the hashtags #BeKind911 and #11DaysOfKindness.
About Zak Abel
Zak Abel is an English singer, songwriter and musician. He’s known for blending soulful pop, country and electronic music and his collaborations with Gordon City, Kygo and Palomoa Faith; he also manages hearing loss (otosclerosis) while creating music, with hits like “Be Kind” and “Unmissable.” On June 6, Zak Abel released a poignant duet titled “Brother to Me” with British singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis. The song delves into themes of mental health and male vulnerability..
About Pay It Forward 9/11
Pay It Forward 9/11, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the spirit of unity alive by challenging people to perform three random acts of kindness for strangers each year in observance of the 9/11 anniversary. The charity was formed on the first anniversary of 9/11 in 2002 and has grown to have participants in all 50 US states and more than a dozen countries.
About Deke Sharon
Deke Sharon is a global music producer dedicated to the celebration and advancement of contemporary a cappella. They produce world-class events, arrangements, and digital content that bring vocalists together from across the globe.
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