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Wake Forest University joined campuses across the country to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through service, remembrance, and community impact. Through the Alliance For Campus Community Engagement, 9/11 Day, and AmeriCorps, participating campuses received grant funding to support local service projects.
Volunteers gathered for breakfast and a moment of reflection on Manchester Plaza on September 12, 2026.
With logistical support from the Office of Civic and Community Engagement and student leadership from Abby Pike (’28), Wake Forest University engaged 72 volunteers across 9 community partners. Volunteers contributed nearly 200 hours of service and reflected on the lives lost 25 years ago in New York, Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia. Volunteers also remembered those who have died from illnesses related to 9/11.
“This year’s Day of Service was nothing short of impactful. There is no feeling more rewarding than seeing tangible results of one’s hard work, especially when accompanied by like-minded individuals in pursuit of the common good. This year, I spent my morning driving volunteers back and forth to and from the Bethesda Center for the Homeless. Upon arrival, we became acquainted with the staff and helped sort clothing, toiletries, and items for donation into bins for those in need. This was my first, and definitely not my last, time partnering with this organization. Their optimism radiated throughout the day, becoming synonymous with the gist of our reflection. The purpose of honoring a tragedy so long ago is to commemorate the sacrifices made in hopes of inspiring the good within ourselves. This year, we are reminded of the importance of giving back, which emulates the core of the Day of Service.”
Chris Kontos (’27)
Community partners for Day of Service included:
Bethesda Center for the Homeless
Beyond Sports
GreeNest
HOPE of Winston-Salem
Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful
North Star
SECU Family House
SPARK
Una Bendicion Community Center
Pro Humanitate in Action
For Wake Forest University students, the pro humanitate motto has tangible action steps. Sophomore Cici Lee has participated in the Day of Service each year of her undergraduate career. Last year, she volunteered at the Campus Garden, an experiential learning space that demonstrates global climate change solutions on a small scale. Volunteers often help support weeding, planting, and harvesting depending on the time of year.
This year, Cici served with Beyond Sports, a nonprofit that identifies gaps in sport access for underserved populations of youth. Volunteers help run recess clinics, support active play through the creation of age appropriate spaces, and host donation drives for sports equipment. Cici served at Konnoak Elementary School through painting the blacktop with games including hopscotch and four square.
Cici Lee (’29) reflects on her second year of participating in the Day of Service:
Service is not something I do;it is a way I connect, giveback, and grow within mycommunity. Throughvolunteering, I’ve learnedthat community is somethingwe all have a hand inbuilding. To me, service is howwe remind each other thatwe belong!
Mateo Aguirre (’28) volunteered with the Bethesda Center for the Homeless in the morning, helping sort donations and clear out office space. Later in the day, he helped with a Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful litter clean-up at Miller Park, where volunteers support beautification projects in our local area.
Through our Day of Service, we were reminded that everyone has a unique story and Winston-Salem’s history of resilience and community isn’t going away.
To stay connected to the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, sign-up for the weekly newsletter and follow us on Instagram. To learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, explore the WFU GivePulse platform.
