New York will Never Forget
by Jeff Parness, Founder, The New York Says Thank You Foundation.
On 9/11, I lost my business partner and friend, Hagay Shefi.
For two years, I thought about Hagay and wondered what I could ever do to commemorate his life.
I didn’t have any good ideas until November 1 2003 when my 5-year-old son Evan told me he wanted to send his toys to kids in California who lost their homes in the wildfires.
Three days later, two friends and I drove a 17-foot U-Haul truck from New York to San Diego filled with relief supplies for the California wildfire victims.
On the side of the truck we put a big sign that said,
“NEW YORK SAYS THANK YOU”
It was my 
way of paying homage to Hagay, but I wanted to make a bigger statement that New Yorkers will never forget what people from small towns, and big cities, all across America did for us in our time of need.
A few months later, Evan came up to me with a serious look on his face and said,
“Dad, when Josh and I grow up, can we drive the truck if there’s a tornado in Iowa?”
That was the inspiration behind starting The New York Says Thank You Foundation.
One day of terror led to ten years of kindness.
Get Involved! Honor the victims, survivors and heroes of 9/11 by marking the day as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Find a volunteer project, or start your own.
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How to Use Social Media to Promote 9/11 as a Day of Service
Remembering 9/11 by Giving Back
September 11, Day of Service & Remembrance
Volunteer for the 9/11 Day of Service
Don’t Let it Be Just Another Day
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