25 Tips for Pay it Forward 9/11 Acts of Kindness
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is to help develop communities where harmony grows through individual "pay it forward" actions, and the ripple effect they cause.
Our mission is to promote random acts of kindness and compassion every September 11th to honor lives lost in the 9/11 attacks by performing three good deeds for strangers, asking them to pay it forward by doing the same and creating a ripple effect.
We said we would "never forget" those who perished on 9/11 and the compassionate heroes who helped us restore faith in humanity. This is your opportunity to volunteer for the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
Inspired by compassionate Canadians on 9/11, our tradition began on the first anniversary of the tragedy. This year, our aim is to restore the kindness and unity the world witnessed in 2002. To honor them, we need your help to perform at least 25,000 good deeds during #11DaysofKindness for the 2026 Pay It Forward 9/11 movement.
Spreading kindness is a powerful way to honor the lives lost and the heroes of that day. Choose any 11 days in September to do at least 3 good deeds for strangers, asking each recipient to do the same. Don't forget to subscribe for tips and updates, and donate if you can to fund our movement
Pro Tip: Select the name(s) of one of the 2,983 victims of the 9/11 attacks from this memorial library. Share their name with the recipient of kindness to keep their memory alive.
#NeverForget #payitforward911 #11DaysofKindness
Global Harmony for 25th anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance
Hit Artist Zak Abel, Pay It Forward 9/11 and A Capella Music Producer Deke Sharon Mobilize Hundreds of Singers for “11 Days of Kindness” Campaign (Sept 1st-11th)
We're 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.
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.
Thank you to everyone who donated or entered our first 2026
Gander Sweepstakes. Angela of NJ won the March 2026 contest and is taking her daughter to see Come From Away--You Are Here in Gander this summer. Check back here often to see when the next opportunity opens!
Pay it Forward Hero
Paper Mill Playhouse, NJ
Trinity Church Wall Street Downtown Fund, NYC
Come From Away--You Are Here, Gander, Newfoundland
Pay it Forward Champion
Brian & Jana Tuerff, Austin, TX
Greg & Jayne Tuerff, Nashville, TN
Kevin Tuerff, NYC
Pay it Forward Advocate
Christopher Bjornson, Washington, DC
Charles Duncan, Portland ME
Connor Farry, Washington, DC
Chris Gallin, NYC
Dennis Marshall, NYC
Matt Mingle, Warren Twp, NJ
Garret Shields, Lake Ridge, VA
Ted Smith, Austin