Opinion: Renew America's post-9/11 spirit

Aimee Dineiro of Smithtown works for a national network of nonprofits. James Lewis is former senior policy analyst Robert Weiner Associates, a Washington think tank.

As New York prepares to mark 9/11's 10th anniversary, maybe it's time business and bosses consider their own way to mark the day.

America was never more united or cohesive than on Sept. 12, 2001. The day before had changed us and altered the definition of what it meant to be American. For several months, people who were patriotic only during the Olympics dusted off American flags and proudly hung them. Individuals who had never volunteered did, blood donations soared, past presidents -- Republican and Democrat -- appeared together on TV. We thanked ambulance crews, firefighters and police officers on the street, and prayed for our servicemen and women overseas. We all experienced the tragedy and wanted to be part of the recovery.

Now, a decade on, security studies have dubbed our time the post-9/11 era. At first this moniker primarily signified overseas wars, but now it seems just as likely to represent our increasing annoyance at invasive airport security.

In 2009, the families of the 9/11 victims successfully lobbied Congress to declare Sept. 11 a "National Day of Service," but somehow we lost the drive to be part of the America that existed at dawn on Sept. 12, 2001.

Now as Washington debates and markets vacillate, nonprofits are preparing to provide underserved communities with the basic essence of a small social safety net. In the upcoming years of fiscal austerity, nonprofits are going to struggle to provide services once guaranteed by the government; volunteers are becoming the only way to provide these necessities.

For years, nonprofits have known the best way to engage volunteers and increase recruitment is through large city, state and national events that promote giving back. Next weekend's anniversary provides that kind of opportunity. Businesses should mark it -- and Sept. 11s to come -- by closing their doors and giving back to their communities. Not only is it the right thing to do in memory of the lives lost in the tragedy, but it also promotes good will, and that's good business.

National networks of nonprofits are leading a grassroots campaign to remember 9/11 the way the victims' families envisioned: with service to America and our neighbors. It's an effort to get back to the way we felt 10 years ago, when it didn't matter if you were white, black, red, yellow or purple; rich or poor; Democrat or Republican. Back then, we were all simply Americans.

For the past 10 years, we have mourned the loss of our countrymen, fought wars against terrorism and grown into a house more divided. Focusing on volunteerism transforms our mourning into service. It's cathartic for those of us still unsure what to do to mark this somber day, and it might help bring us closer together.

So let's pay homage to the sacrifice of everyday Americans. Our volunteer efforts can help remember the selflessness of the police, firefighters, paramedics and onlookers who ran into smoky flame-filled buildings, and the airline passengers who summoned the courage to save thousands in Washington.

Since Congress' decree, how many of us volunteered in 2009 or 2010? Even now, there's still enough time to arrange a companywide volunteer effort. Small efforts can facilitate great change. Organize employee carpools to donate blood at a local blood bank or hospital or let your employees have a half-day if they find their own volunteer opportunities. Visit 911dayofservice

.org to get ideas and share your own plans.

Especially now, the corporate world needs to combat its soulless image, and good PR never hurts. A companywide volunteer effort is a team-building effort that doesn't require an expensive "expert" or cheesy trust games. Most important, it changes the face of a national tragedy and can help lead to the national recovery we could all use.