William Blair was honored to support the 9/11 National Day of Service, a nationwide initiative to inspire unity and acts of kindness in remembrance of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, by sponsoring the event and partnering with other Chicago organizations to pack food for families in need.

William Blair’s Veterans’ Alliance business resource group organized the firm’s participation. Some 60 colleagues joined hundreds of other volunteers on September 12 at Chicago Union Station to pack over 200,000 bags of food. Most of the meals were given to families with children, and about a quarter were donated to families with at least one veteran in the household.

Community engagement is a core value of William Blair, a tradition passed down from the firm’s leaders nearly 90 years ago. Veterans’ Alliance co-chair Corwin Marbly, a member of William Blair’s investment management team and a veteran who served in the U.S. Army, led William Blair’s team at Chicago’s 9/11 National Day of Service.

“It was amazing to work alongside so many people who are willing to step up and give back to their communities, especially in the spirit of remembering those who lost their lives and those who served on 9/11,” said Marbly. “The 9/11 National Day of Service solidifies the fact that ‘we will never forget.’”

National Day of Service events were also held in New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, Boston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis.

The service day is sponsored by 9/11 Day, a nonprofit with a mission to pay tribute to those killed and injured on 9/11 and to the many brave individuals who served others following the attack in New York City 21 years ago.