Pay It Forward 9/11 launches 11 Days of Kindness for 25th anniversary

Pay It Forward 9/11 is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a September 1-11 kindness campaign aimed at 25,000 good deeds. Events in New York, Washington, D.C. and Gander, Newfoundland, plus more than 50 “Come From Away” productions, are tied to the effort.

Why it matters: - Pay It Forward 9/11 is using the 25th anniversary of 9/11 to push a public campaign for service, unity and remembrance. - The group wants the anniversary to translate into measurable action, with a goal of at least 25,000 acts of kindness. - The campaign ties the memory of 9/11 to the story of Gander, Newfoundland, where strangers helped stranded airline passengers after the attacks.

What happened: - Pay It Forward 9/11 launched #11DaysofKindness on September 1 and will run the campaign through September 11 and beyond. - The nonprofit is marking the anniversary with events in Washington, D.C., New York City and Gander, Newfoundland. - The effort includes a new music video built around a cappella performances of Zak Abel’s song “Be Kind.” - Supporters include the writers and original producers of “Come From Away,” Air Canada, John Gallin & Son and Love, Tito’s.

The details: - The campaign asks people to perform three good deeds for strangers. - Suggested acts include buying coffee, helping a neighbor, volunteering, donating food, thanking a first responder and reaching out to someone who feels alone. - A Washington, D.C.-to-New York Amtrak trip will distribute 100 free cups of coffee and promote the campaign along the route. - On September 3, Pay It Forward 9/11 and Gallin & Son will host Coffee and Kindness at Xavier Mission in New York City. - More than 50 theatres producing “Come From Away” are helping spread the message to audiences worldwide. - Kevin Tuerff is connecting with all participating theatres through videos, content, customized messages and Zoom calls. - On September 10, Pay It Forward 9/11 will join activities in Downtown Manhattan with American Thoracic Society, FiDi Hotel and Pace University. - Also on September 10, Tuerff and board members will return to Gander, where volunteers from the United States and United Kingdom will share stories and document 25 acts of kindness honoring 25 people lost on 9/11. - On September 11, the campaign will culminate with a final day of remembrance and service. - Schools, families and homeschoolers can access free downloadable educational curriculum at PayItForward911.org. - People can join by pledging acts of kindness or supporting the nonprofit through PayItForward911.org.

Between the lines: - The campaign turns a memorial date into a repeated civic action, which gives the anniversary a public-facing service component. - Linking the effort to “Come From Away” helps connect a Broadway audience to the real-world story that inspired the musical. - The Gander return suggests the nonprofit is leaning on its origin story to reinforce credibility and emotional resonance.

What's next: - Pay It Forward 9/11 will continue the 11-day campaign through September 11 with public participation encouraged nationwide. - The organization expects people to keep the ripple effect going after the anniversary by sharing the hashtag #11DaysofKindness. - Schools and community groups can use the free curriculum to extend the campaign beyond the event dates.

The bottom line: - Pay It Forward 9/11 is trying to turn remembrance into action by asking people to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with everyday kindness.