Houston, TX – September 18, 2025 – In a tribute to the resilience and unity shown by Americans after the terrorist attacks on their homeland on September 11, 2001, Sewa International organized a series of activities that engaged over 1,740 volunteers in 15 states.
New Jersey State Senator Latham Tiver (top left), Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (top right),
Mayor Shreekanth Dhopte (bottom left), and Chief Master Sergeant Francis Mitokpe
(bottom right) at the 9/11 event in Chesterfield, NJ
Sewa organized 54 activities in 41 U.S. cities, including preparing sandwiches and burritos, assembling hygiene kits, and donating backpacks to schoolchildren. Volunteers also planted 120 trees and native plants, restored park benches, and collected 600 native seeds to support local communities.
On September 7, New Jersey State Senator Latham Tiver joined the Chesterfield Bench Restoration Project in New Jersey, praising Sewa’s work as “a meaningful way to honor 9/11 by strengthening our communities through service.” The event brought together over 200 attendees, who spent two days restoring 125 cedar benches in local parks. Volunteers carefully sanded and applied protective coatings to help the benches withstand harsh weather, preserving them for future public use.
Sewa Detroit Chapter with 9/11 event chief guests (top photo).
(Bottom left, right to left): Parks Director Chris Ward, Former Congressman John Freeman,
Community Leader Hema Rachmale, Congresswoman Sharon MacDonell,
School Board Member Vital Anne, and Council Member Hirak Chanda.
Congresswoman MacDonell (bottom right) addressed the gathering
Sewa Detroit hosted the 9/11 event on September 13, drawing 150 volunteers. At the Waterford Township event, State Representative for Michigan's 56th House District, Sharon MacDonell, stressed the importance of collective action, saying, “If we had more people doing this today, we would be in a much better place.” Her remarks underscored how community-driven efforts can turn remembrance of tragedy into a force for positive change.
Sewa International’s President, Srikanth Gundavarapu, said, “Serving others is the best way to honor those family members, neighbors, friends, coworkers, and frontline workers we lost on 9/11. Each event we organized reminded us of hundreds of innocent lives lost in those dastardly attacks, linking their sacrifices with the action in the present to secure our nation, support vulnerable communities, and promote unity and well-being for all.”
In addition, Dallas, TX, hosted a Day of Service at the Veterans Resource Center, where volunteers organized a food drive, assembled hygiene kits, conducted a creative “Paint-a-Bag” workshop, and recognized veterans through a small ceremony.
On September 11, more than 100 volunteers participated in a 9/11 event at the National India Hub in Schaumburg, IL, organized in collaboration with AmeriCorps and 9/11day.org. Activities included preparing 500 sandwiches, assembling 200 hygiene kits, recycling plastics, painting reusable bags, and wellness sessions.
In Johns Creek, GA, over 100 attendees gathered on September 13 to reflect on heroism and resilience. Mayor Pro Tem and City Council Member Dilip Tunki spoke, emphasizing unity and service.
In Houston, TX, over 30 volunteers joined a 9/11 Day of Service event on September 11, preparing and distributing sandwiches and burritos to underprivileged individuals in downtown Houston.
Sewa encourages people to carry the spirit of 9/11 service forward by giving time, skills, or resources to local causes.
For more information, visit www.sewausa.org or contact media@sewausa.org
About Sewa International
Sewa International (www.sewausa.org) is a 501 (c) (3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in the areas of disaster recovery, education, and development. Sewa has 43 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.
