In the wake of profound tragedy, acts of compassion have the power to bridge divides, strengthen communities, and reaffirm our common humanity. As the co-founder and president of 9/11 Day, David Paine ’75 has spent more than two decades championing this vision. Alongside co-founder Jay Winuk, Paine spearheaded the effort that led to the formal establishment of September 11 as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance in 2009. 

Over the past 24 years, the nonprofit movement has inspired tens of millions of Americans to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 through acts of kindness, volunteerism, and charitable giving—turning a day of national mourning into an annual moment of shared purpose. Now, looking ahead to the landmark 25th anniversary, Paine and his team are launching  what is expected to be the largest single day of service in American history. Supported by an extraordinary coalition—including AmeriCorps, the NFL, Major League Baseball, America250, and over 800 corporate partners ranging from Delta Air Lines to JPMorgan Chase—the initiative will roll out expanded grantmaking and education programs alongside 50 large-scale, multi-city volunteer projects addressing critical national needs like hunger relief. 

Read the Q&A below to discover what drives Paine’s mission and how 9/11 Day is bringing millions of Americans together through service. 

What inspired you to transform the tragedy of 9/11 into a National Day of Service? 
In the aftermath of 9/11, I witnessed something extraordinary amid all the grief and horror. For a brief time, we stopped thinking of ourselves as coming from red states or blue states. We were simply Americans. People reached out to strangers, volunteered, donated blood,  comforted one another, and looked for ways to help. 

That spirit of unity and goodness had a profound impact on me, and I wanted to find a way to keep that alive. Also, my friend and now 9/11 Day co-founder Jay Winuk, had lost his younger brother, Glenn, an attorney and volunteer firefighter who died while responding at the World Trade Center. We both wanted something good to come from the loss of Glenn and so many others on that terrible day. So together, we decided that the best way to honor those who were killed, injured, or rose in service—and keep alive that rare spirit of unity and goodness—was to transform the anniversary of 9/11 into a day when Americans recreate the moment of unity and goodness, and dedicate time to doing good deeds that help others. 

It was that idea that eventually became 9/11 Day—now a National Day of Service and Remembrance under federal law. 

You are organizing a large day of service for the 25th anniversary. How do you approach building and managing a coalition of this scale, and what advice do you have for alumni looking to build partnerships? 
Building a coalition of this size begins with two things: (1) an understanding of what your partners need and want to gain from working with your organization and (2) having a clear, compelling purpose and program that they appreciate, understand, and see value in supporting. 

Organizations may have different priorities, audiences, and ways of working, but they can come together when they see how their participation advances a mission they genuinely believe in. 

Our role at 9/11 Day is not simply to ask organizations to support our program. We aim to create a platform that allows each partner—whether a company, federal agency, nonprofit, school, city, or community organization—to participate in a way that is meaningful to them. That requires listening carefully, making participation as straightforward as possible, communicating consistently, and recognizing that strong partnerships are built on trust rather than transactions. 

My advice to alumni pursuing civic initiatives would be to begin with the “why.” Be very clear about the need you are trying to address and why others should care. Then look for partners whose values and interests naturally align with the effort. Give them a meaningful role, share credit generously, follow through on commitments, and remember that lasting coalitions are built relationship by relationship. 

It is also important to be persistent. 9/11 Day did not become a national tradition overnight. It took years of conversations, setbacks, small victories, and the support of people who believed the idea was worth pursuing. 

What can people, schools, and organizations do to participate in the 25th anniversary of 9/11? 
There are so many ways to participate—9/11 Day is a day of doing good deeds, and any good deed counts. Individuals can volunteer, help a friend move, donate to a local nonprofit, or choose any meaningful act of kindness. Schools can organize service projects or ask students to make personal pledges to do good deeds. Companies and organizations can invite employees and members to pledge their own good deeds, organize group volunteer activities, and encourage others to participate. Good deeds can be completed on September 11 or at any time during September. We always encourage everyone to visit 911day.org to find ideas, resources, and ways to get involved.

What is your ultimate vision for the legacy of 9/11 Day? 
My ultimate hope is that 9/11 Day becomes a permanent American tradition—a day when people pause to remember those who were lost and then honor them through acts of service,  kindness, and unity. 

More than 100 million Americans have now been born since the attacks or were too young to remember them. That makes it especially important that the meaning of September 11 be carried forward in a constructive

way. Future generations should understand the tragedy, but they should also know what happened afterward: Americans put aside their differences, came together, and demonstrated extraordinary compassion for one another. 

If 9/11 Day can preserve that spirit and help people rediscover it every year, then something genuinely good will continue to come from one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history. That, to me, would be the most meaningful legacy possible. 

How did your time at Berkshire School shape your commitment to civic leadership? 
My interest in service and my internal compass focused on bringing good into the world didn't awaken until long after my time at Berkshire. But what Berkshire did give to me, which changed the trajectory of my life, was self-confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging that was missing in my life at the time. Berkshire infused me with a greater understanding and appreciation of myself, and I've carried that internal strength with me and have been able to grow it ever since. 

What is your fondest memory of your time under the Mountain? 
Tough question. What I remember most fondly were the little things. Like when we'd drive up the long entrance to the school after a break—the feeling that I was back home. I also remember the smell of the freshly cut grass on the soccer pitch, and watching my history teacher at the time, Thomas Young, walk slowly down the road from his residence—always five minutes late—toward our classroom, a Styrofoam cup of coffee in his hand, and how he'd slurp the coffee because it was always too hot.