Berkshire Bulletin Summer 2021

Paine in front of his wall of memorabilia at his home office in Newport Beach, Calif

Photo by Kendrick Brinson

A Q&A WITH DAVID PAINE ’75, PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER OF 9/11 DAY

By Carol Visnapuu

After the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, David Paine was inspired by the extraordinary spirit of unity and togetherness that emerged both in New York City and around the nation. With this in mind, he founded the nonprofit 9/11 Day in 2002 with his friend, Jay Winuk, who lost his brother, Glenn, an attorney in New York City and a volunteer firefighter and EMT, in the line of duty during the rescue efforts.

“We wanted to ensure that something good would come from the attacks, and that those responsible wouldn’t have the last word,” Paine said. The nonprofit was instrumental in establishing September 11 as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance, which invites Americans to do one good deed on the anniversary of the attacks in honor of those lives lost or injured, and to keep the promise to “never forget.”

Under Paine’s leadership, 9/11 Day has become the nation’s largest annual day of charitable engagement. Before launching 9/11 Day, Paine founded the public relations agency PainePR. During his 23-year tenure, the company won over 100 public relations awards, and he was recognized for his innovative humanistic philosophies in the workplace, creating a peoplefriendly culture. Paine lives in Southern California with his wife, Laney, and their 12-year old son, Ryan. They also have three adult children, Matthew, Eric, and Alyssa.

We wanted to ensure that something good would come from the attacks, and that those responsible wouldn’t have the last word.”

What did you learn from 9/11?

September 11 demonstrated that when it really matters, the differences that we think we have —the way we identify with our roles, race, religion, gender, age, and/or background— doesn’t matter at all. 9/11 was so powerful, dramatic, and horrific that it literally dissolved those labels. It left people all around the world recognizing that they shared a common humanity, a concern for one another, and that we were all just human beings at the moment. This day exhibited that what we have in common is far more important than the differences we think separate us.

What is the purpose of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance?

The day is fundamentally about people taking a moment to think about what’s most important in their lives, and then taking some form of action that could make a difference to help someone else. A good deed can happen in any way, shape, or form, in big and little ways. We also remind people that the good deed can be for yourself. Sometimes people need to help themselves, and until they help themselves, they’re just not in a position to help someone else.

How did COVID impact 9/11 Day?

This year, we had more participation than ever, with 9/11 Day being almost entirely virtual due to the pandemic. We asked people to help those who were suffering from the pandemic. We launched many programs to support hunger relief—providing ways in which people could sponsor a meal for somebody in need or a first responder. We also connected people to mental health resources as depression has skyrocketed in this environment.

How is 9/11 Day planning to celebrate its 20th anniversary?

Our goal is to inspire Americans and others to perform 20 million good deeds in remembrance and tribute for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. We are planning many significant programs, which include organizing volunteer projects around the nation, delivering tens of thousands of meals to people in need, supporting our first responders and members of our military community, and possibly staging a televised event leading up to the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Why does this quote from Pope Francis resonate with you? “It is better to live a shorter life serving others than a longer one resisting that call.”

I believe that everybody, no matter what they’re planning to do in their lives, should reserve a part of their lives and their time to give back and help people in a way that fulfills them. As it has been said, we’re just borrowing the planet from the next generation. They inherit it from us, and our time here is limited. We have a certain responsibility to make this world a better place.

How has your Berkshire experience been present in your life?

I honestly think the School saved me. When I entered the School, I wasn’t sure where I was going with my life. My parents were divorced, and I was living with my mom in Long Island. I was unhappy, and the only thing that really gave me joy was playing hockey. Hockey gave me the entry to Berkshire, and I came in as a junior. I just loved everything about it … the Mountain, the fact that people were smart, the community, and the caring teachers ... and, I got to play sports all the time. I grew up there and started to discover who I was.

911Day.org