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Despite the grief caused by 9/11, rays of hope have shone in its wake. In the days and weeks following the attacks, thousands of volunteers from around the city and around the globe arrived at Ground Zero to feed and support recovery workers. Organized in large part by the American Red Cross, these volunteers provided everything from food and clean clothing to a listening ear. Police officers and rescue workers from other parts of the country took leaves of absence in order to travel to New York City and aid in the recovery effort. In addition, blood donations across the U.S. saw a huge surge in the weeks following 9/11.

Victims' Compensation Just three weeks following the attacks, charities and relief agencies raised over $657 million for immediate survivors and victims' families. A federal fund for victims and families reached $7 billion, with the average payout per family at $1.8 million. And just two months after the attacks, the American Red Cross wrote checks totaling $54.3 million to 2,776 families.

Beyond the 11th Patricia Quigley and Susan Retik, two young mothers who were widowed on 9/11, founded Beyond the 11th, an organization dedicated to helping Afghan widows affected by war and terrorism.

Peter M. Goodrich Foundation Founded in honor of one of the victims of Flight 175, the Peter M. Goodrich Foundation is responsible for constructing a 26 room K-8 school in the province of Logar, Afghanistan, as well as supplying food, fuel and clothing for orphans in areas not receiving aid.

Our Voices Together Founded by 9/11 families and friends, Our Voices Together builds and equips schools in Central Asia, treats the mental anguish of war and terrorism in East Africa, and engages in interfaith dialogue in North America, among other missions.

Heroic Choices Originally the Todd M. Beamer Foundation, Heroic Choices is a non-profit organization that builds resiliency in children who have experienced trauma. It was founded in honor of Todd Beamer, long remembered as the American who said, "let's roll," as he and other passengers of United Flight 93 attempted to take down their hijacked plane.

WTC United The World Trade Center United Family Group provides peer support programs designed to empower victims and their families and help them heal by uniting them through their shared experience. These programs include online forums, philanthropic projects, holiday gatherings, civic education and youth legacy initiatives.