September 11 is one of those days … a day that you can still feel in your bones. You remember where you were. What you were doing. How you felt before you heard. And how you felt after you learned that hijackers had flown airplanes into the World Trade Center, killing over 2,900 people and injuring almost 6,000 more.

Shock. Terror. Fear. Disbelief. Despondency. Anger. That’s what I felt. But mostly sadness.

On September 11, 2001, I was a brand new mother. My daughter, Lauren, was two months old and slept in the bassinet beside me as I turned on the television and watched the horror unfold. I cried a lot that day. And I’m crying now, just writing this. Because I remember. Viscerally. The sadness I felt for every person who lost their lives and the families they left behind was utterly unbearable. 

We grew as a nation in the aftermath of that tragedy. We huddled tight and helped where and how we could. But as the years passed, 9/11 grew further and further from our consciousness as other tragedies filled our news feeds and our lives moved on.

But September 11  remains a very real, ever-present tragedy for those who were affected by it. We need not to forget that. People still need help. And there are organizations that are helping them that still need our support. 

Here are some worthy organizations:

Tuesday’s Children provides healing for those whose lives have been forever changed by terrorism or traumatic loss. The organization has reportedly worked with at least three quarters of 9/11 victims’ families. Their programs include youth mentoring and career guidance and mental health services for first responders and victims’ children and spouses.

The Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, has provided more than $150 million in scholarships to dependents of those killed or otherwise affected in the 9/11 attacks and subsequent rescue efforts.

In honor of the tens of thousands of first responders who bravely worked to rescue and treat 9/11 victims, giving to the New York City Police Foundation or the FDNY Foundation is a worthy exercise. Both non-profit charities serve to support the men and women who serve and protect New York City.

And so, on the 18th anniversary of the September 11 tragedies, perhaps you will consider helping. They still need us. And we need not to forget.