Op-Ed: Turning tragedy into triumph: What 9/11 Day teaches Cleveland

On September 11, the eyes of the nation turn to remembrance. But here in Cleveland, remembrance also looks like action. For the third year in a row, 1,000 volunteers will gather downtown at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University to transform grief into generosity—packing more than a quarter million meals for neighbors in need through the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

This is what 9/11 Day of Service has become: not just a tribute to lives lost, but a movement to make our communities stronger. Cleveland’s version of the event is proof that even the heaviest tragedies can be lifted into hope when people come together with purpose.

What began as a day defined by shock and sorrow has evolved into the largest annual day of service in the country. And in Cleveland, it has quickly become one of the most inspiring moments of the year — thousands of hands moving in unison, strangers becoming teammates, all working to ensure that hardship is met with help.

Now imagine if we applied that same mindset not just once a year, but every time we faced a challenge in our city.

What if we looked at homelessness not only as a crisis, but as an opportunity to mobilize compassion and redesign systems of care? Volunteers, nonprofits, and citizens could rally with the same urgency they show on 9/11 Day — refusing to accept that anyone in Cleveland should sleep without shelter.

Or consider Lake Erie, our greatest natural resource. Too often it is defined by algae blooms and pollution. But 9/11 Day teaches us that even painful stories can be reframed. We could take pride in reshaping Lake Erie’s narrative by committing to stronger protections, community cleanups, and sustainable practices that make it a point of pride rather than concern.

Poverty, too, can feel entrenched. But so did the fear and despair in the aftermath of September 11. What pulled people through was not despair but solidarity — neighbors helping neighbors, strangers lending a hand. If Cleveland brought that same urgency to tackling poverty, we could open new pathways of opportunity through education, workforce training, and economic development.

The genius of 9/11 Day is that it doesn’t just memorialize, it galvanizes. It reminds us that grief can spark generosity, fear can give way to hope, and division can transform into unity.

And Cleveland shows the nation how it’s done. On September 11 at the Wolstein Center, we prove that tragedy can be a spark for service — and that spirit doesn’t have to fade when the day is over. If we can transform one of America’s darkest days into one of Cleveland’s brightest, then we can transform any challenge into a chance for greatness. The blueprint is right in front of us. All we have to do is follow Cleveland’s lead.