Twenty-five years after September 11th, the call to serve is still being answered. This year, Athletes for Hope was selected as a 9/11 Day Grant Recipient — in partnership with 9/11 Day, AmeriCorps, and the Popeyes Foundation — joining a growing national movement to permanently transform the anniversary of September 11th into America’s Day of Doing Good. And this fall, AFH U student-athletes made sure that movement had a face.
9/11 Day is one of the largest days of charitable engagement in the United States — inspiring millions of people each year to honor the victims, survivors, and heroes of September 11th through acts of service. We are incredibly proud to have been part of that mission this year.
Baton Rouge: 150 Jaguars. 500 Meals. One Community.
At Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 150 student-athletes came together for AFH U’s 9/11 Day of Service event — and the Jaguars showed out. Together, they packed 500 meal packages for families facing food insecurity across the Baton Rouge community. Those meals were distributed the following day at the North Baton Rouge Community Center, going directly to the families who needed them most.
For many of these student-athletes, this was their first large-scale community service event. For all of them, it was a reminder that the platform sport gives you extends far beyond the field.
This is what America’s Day of Doing Good looks like. This is what service looks like. And this is exactly why AFH U exists.
Washington, D.C.: 116 Volunteers. Two Schools. One Powerful Moment.
Nearly 1,000 miles away, 116 student-athlete volunteers from American University and Howard University gathered in Washington, D.C. to honor the 25th anniversary of September 11th — united by a shared commitment to service and community.
Together they packed over 120 grocery bags and 50 friendship bracelet kits for residents across the D.C. community. But beyond the numbers, what stood out was the spirit in the room. These were student-athletes who had classes to attend, practices to get to, and games to prepare for — and they chose to spend their time showing up for their community.
Never forget. Always serve. 🧡
Why This Moment Matters
For Athletes for Hope, 9/11 Day is a natural extension of everything AFH U was built for — student-athletes who compete on the field and serve off it. The student-athletes at Southern University, American University, and Howard University proved that on September 11th, 2026. We are incredibly proud to have served alongside them and to be part of a mission that honors the legacy of September 11th through action, not just remembrance.
A huge thank you to our partners — 9/11 Day, AmeriCorps, Thrivent, and the Popeyes Foundation — for making this possible and for believing in the power of athlete-led service to change communities.
Is your school ready to join the movement? Learn more about AFH U at athletesforhope.org.