MLB honors 9/11 victims with Day of Service

NEW YORK -- Monday marked 22 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a tragic event that claimed nearly 3,000 lives -- 2,753 at the World Trade Center. Major League Baseball commemorates the somber day each year and, in more recent times, it has held MLB Together 9/11 Day of Service at the Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum in Manhattan.

At least 100 MLB employees and three former Major Leaguers -- Dellin Betances, Kevin Millar and Ryan Dempster -- gathered at the museum on Monday to pack meals that would be distributed to food pantries around the area.

“Our MLB employees always want to do everything they can to roll up their sleeves and give back to the community,” said April Brown, MLB’s senior vice president of social responsibility and community affairs. “It’s really a day to give back and remember those lost on 9/11. For our employees, it’s a day for team building, enjoying one another and doing something really good in the community.”

The event was put together by Jay Winuk, co-founder of Meal Pack for 9/11 Day. Volunteers in 18 cities engage in these charitable events, in observance of the anniversary of 9/11. According to Winuk, that adds up to more than 20,000 volunteers packing 6.5 million meals.

There is a special reason this project is so important to Winuk: His brother, Glenn, was killed during the attacks. Glenn was a partner at the law firm, Holland & Knight LLP, which was located near the World Trade Center. When Glenn wasn’t at the law office, he was a volunteer firefighter, and he was in that role on the day of the attacks. Glenn Winuk raced on foot into the South Tower to save lives.

“It was a great act of service. It’s what all firefighters do. They are extraordinary people,” Jay Winuk said. “I do this work in his honor, also in honor of all of those who were lost and all of those who were in service in the aftermath.

“It was a time of extraordinary togetherness and unity and compassion in the aftermath of the attacks. Along with my colleague, David Paine, we wanted to try to create a ritual in this country where people come together and mark the anniversary by doing good deeds for people in need.”

Dempster and Millar, the co-hosts of "Intentional Talk" on MLB Network, were two of the more recognizable people representing MLB as they helped pack meals.

“People helping people is an amazing thing. If we are not going to do that, what do we have? There are people out there who are not as fortunate. They need help. They need food,” Dempster said. “To be able to come here and do this and put this all together with this crew for Meal Pack for 9/11, it’s a privilege and an honor to be able to do something like this.”

“It’s a great scene to be able to come here and be a part of this and help,” Millar said. “You know what, you could see everybody together. Obviously a sad day 22 years ago, but helping others is what this is all about.”

It was fitting that Betances -- a player ambassador for MLB after retiring from baseball in 2021 -- was part of the meal-packing group, considering he was known for his charitable efforts during his time as an active Major Leaguer. The New York native was deeply involved in community efforts during his time with the Yankees.

“For me, this is what it’s all about, trying to give back to the community. Any way you can help out, put your hands on anything, it’s always good,” he said.