by 
Jeff Parness, Founder and Chairman, The New York Says Thank You Foundation
Nine years ago, terrorists might have taken away from us one day — 9/11.
But over the weekend, Americans showed who we are and what we are made of.
We are a resilient and a compassionate Nation.
Let us never forget.
Last weekend, hundreds of volunteers with New York Says Thank You Foundation helped rebuild the tornado ravaged community of Mena, Arkansas.
We rebuilt three homes and a community center in a weekend.
As we get farther away from 9/11 – our volunteer projects to honor the sense of kindness that united our Nation on this National Day of Service and Remembrance keeps getting larger.
The nationwide restoration effort of The National 9/11 Flag featured on NBC Nightly News here, our upcoming 10th Anniversary project, and the release of the New York Says Thank You film in 2011 that will inspire millions of young people and parents that a 5-year-old boy’s idea can grow into a national movement and teach generations of children about 9/11 through the filter of kindness and humanity all illustrate that we have only just begun.
Keep the spirit of service alive.
Share the story with your friends, family, and colleagues.
Sponsor A Stitch in the National 9/11 Flag or Nominate a Service Hero or make a donation to support our continuing work by clicking here.
We are committed to keep going.
From one day of terror, a Generation of Kindness.
That is our new goal.
“Volunteers help keep alive all that is the best in America.”
– ABC World News Tonight 9/11/09
This past weekend, Americans across the nation demonstrated the compassion, resilience, and unity that marked the way our citizens rallied together after September 11th nine years ago. For HandsOn Network, it was a day of extraordinary service, bringing people together, in unity, to help their communities. Here are just a few of the many highlights:
Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Dr. Jill Biden, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks packed military care packages planned by 
In Olympia, Washington, hosted by the 
By, Meg Moloney, Senior Director, Programs, 
As my colleagues and I crossed the Williamsburg Bridge, we talked to each other and to total strangers, trying to make sense of events. It was a hot day. When we got to the Brooklyn side of the bridge, a small group of New Yorkers handed cups of water from the back of a pick-up truck to people trying to get home. This simple gesture brought relief to many and even tears to some. As I approached the impromptu aid station I remembered how 10 years before there had been serious racial tensions and violence not far from that spot. A lot had changed since 1991 and it was heartening to see residents from every part of the neighborhood working together to distribute water to the diverse and ragtag river of people walking by. Everyone seemed to feel a sense of togetherness about the experience. It made a world of difference to those of us with long walks still ahead and helped us put one foot in front of the other and keep going.
Thousands of people came to us to volunteer—saying over and over that they wanted to find a way to do something positive in response to the tragedy. Many thousands of New Yorkers offered to help, as did people from California and Texas, and even Australia and Brazil.
“Point Thank You”—a place just north of Ground Zero where volunteers let weary relief workers coming off their shifts know how grateful we were for their extraordinary efforts. In fact, it seemed everyone involved kept thanking each other—volunteers thanked first responders—first responders thanked volunteers. In the midst of unfathomable sadness, countless acts of generosity gave us strength.
The power of that unity has become The 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, a day for people to rekindle the energy, passion and connectivity experienced after the attacks. The day is spearheaded by 
Using A Blog
