Commission encourages Wisconsinites to volunteer, pledge acts of kindness, and find local commemorative ceremonies statewide.

MADISON, WI – September 9, 2026 – In observance of the 25th anniversary of September 11, the Wisconsin America250 Commission is calling on residents across the Badger State to transform remembrance into civic action by supporting national and local service initiatives.

One opportunity is the nationwide effort to pack more than 17 million meals across more than 51 cities. 9/11 Day is bringing a meal packing event to Milwaukee to support families experiencing food insecurity. Rather than packing individual meals, adult volunteers (18+) will provide operational support for meal packing, assisting with registration and coordinating supplies to keep the event running smoothly.

“When we look back twenty-five years, an enduring story of September 11 is how Americans helped each other and their communities. We saw this in the courage of the first responders in New York and at the Pentagon, the actions of ordinary citizens on that day, and in the service members and veterans who spent the next two decades defending our nation. Stepping up to support our neighbors through service today honors their memory in the most tangible way possible,” said Christopher Kolakowski, Chair of the Wisconsin America250 Commission.

“9/11 is about ordinary people stepping forward for one another. Whether packing meals side-by-side in Milwaukee or doing a simple good deed in your hometown, every volunteer helps turn a day of loss into a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve when we unite for good,” said David Paine, Co-founder and President, 9/11 Day.

How Wisconsinites Can Participate and Serve on September 11:

  • Support the Milwaukee Meal Pack: Register for event support roles to help assemble meals for local families in need at org/meal-packs-support-staff.
  • Pledge an Act of Kindness: Join the nationwide Unite for Good campaign by committing to a simple good deed such as donating blood, supporting a local food pantry, or writing a note of thanks to first responders atorg/uniteforgood.
  • Find a Commemorative Event: Explore memorial ceremonies and civic gatherings in Wisconsin and across the country on the America250 National Event Calendar at org/calendar.

For more information on the national movement, visit 911day.org. To learn about how the Wisconsin America250 Commission is honoring the nation’s 250th and how your community can participate, visit wisconsinhistory.org.

About Wisconsin America250:

The Wisconsin America250 Commission is an independent state body dedicated to sharing the unique story of the Badger State during the United States’ Semiquincentennial and was established by the 2021 Wisconsin Act 95. While A250WI collaborates with the national America250 initiative and other partners to promote broad participation, its primary mission is to highlight the specific impact of Wisconsin’s people and history on our nation’s past, present and future. Through local programming and statewide celebration, the Commission invites all residents to explore their place in the American story as we strive together for a “more perfect union.” Learn more about A250WI’s programs at wisconsinhistory.org.

About 9/11 Day:

9/11 Day is the nonprofit organization that created and annually organizes the federally recognized September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Founded in 2002 by David Paine and Jay Winuk, the organization works to transform the anniversary of 9/11 into a worldwide day of doing good in tribute to those killed and injured in the attacks and the many who rose in service in response. The anniversary of 9/11 is now the largest day of service in America.For the 25th anniversary, Americans can join the UNIITE For Good campaign and pledge a good deed at 911day.org.