Pay It Forward 9/11 Board Member Jeanette Gutierrez Keeps the Ripple Effect of Kindness Going with #11DaysofKindness

Staten Islander Jeanette Guiterrez leads by example. To commemorate the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and honor the lives lost, Jeanette and a team of volunteers gathered today to inspire random acts of kindness in New York City, marking the start of “11 Days of Kindness and Unity.”

Editor’s note: We also covered this event last year.  Readers can also leave comments about their acts of kindness below.  

Hosted by Pay It Forward 9/11 founder Kevin Tuerff and the organization’s board members, including Guitierrez, the event gathered a team of kind volunteers at Xavier Mission on West 15th Street to remember lives lost on 9/11 by handing out free coffee, Pay It Forward 9/11 wristbands and smile cards, and kind words and deeds in and around the area. Volunteers shared their experience doing random acts of kindess, personal reflections, and pledged to continue to spread kindness and keep the ripple effect going during the #11DaysofKindness.

Pay It Forward 9/11 was founded in 2002 by Kevin Tuerff, one of 7,000 airline passengers 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.

For 24 years, the annual Pay it Forward 9/11 campaign inspires kind and compassionate individuals, corporate groups, and schools to unify during #11DaysofKindness, culminating on the National Day of Remembrance and Service (Sept 11). Visit the website payitforward911.org and pledge to perform three random acts of kindness for strangers from September 1-11, 2023.

“After the 9/11 attacks, people all over the world came together as one to help each other and support those in need,” said founder Kevin Tuerff. “Now is the time to plan an act of kindness with other people in your circles, register your kindness commitment online, and help restore unity through kindness, which creates a ripple effect.”

Volunteers from Pace University, American Thoracic Society, John Gallin & Son, Air Canada, NY Junior League, NY Texas Exes, FiDi Hotel, Starbucks, Warren Township NJ Schools, Church of St. Francis Xavier, and 9/11 survivors and family members will also keep the ripple effect going through a variety of activities.

Other acts of kindness planned for this week:

• Wed. Sept 10 Screening of Come From Away musical (Apple TV version) Pace University students and staff, 41 Park Row (Dezer Den)
• Sept 11 Warren Township, NJ 125 school students join 9/11 Memorial to sing national anthem and speak on kindness. 42 Mountain Blvd, Warren Twp, NJ
• Sept. 11 American Thoracic Society staff (in teams of 3) random acts of kindness across Ground Zero neighborhood, 25 Broadway
• Sept 11 Employees at FiDi Hotel, 11 Stone St will share extra kindness with guests and neighbors
• Sept 11 Teams of Pace University students will perform random acts of kindness and share stories of the experience

“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.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

How you can Pay It Forward this September:

1. Teachers may download and share our free #11DaysofKindness for Kids classroom lesson plans and activities from PayItForward911.org/kids.
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. To inspire others, share your kindness story on your social media channels using #PayitForward911 and #neverforget. 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, Trinity Church Wall Street and Air Canada. Sponsorships are still available for 2025 and for the 25^th 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 [email protected].

Banner Image: 2025 Event. Image Credit – Pay it Forward 9/11