Campaign to spread good deeds following 9/11 has Longford roots

It was an unexpected detour for Tom and the late Johanna Donlon of Abbeycartron Lane, along with their grandson of four years, Connor Farry.

There were great expectations for their return to Rockland County, NY, after a month-long sojourn in Longford.

Connor was spending some quality time with his grandparents while they readied for the arrival of Connor’s sister Aideen due in September. Their return would have to wait.

Their Dublin-New York flight on 9/11 was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland.

They spent several days there filled with anxiety along with some heart warming experiences full of gratitude and joy.

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Twenty-two years later, Connor has grown to be a young man who always carries this 9/11 experience with him.

So, it was an ideal fit for Connor to become a board member of the non-profit PayitForward 9/11 www.payitforward911.org

Inspired by compassionate Canadians on 9/11, this organisation began 20 years ago.

The aim is simple: to restore the kindness and unity the world witnessed back then.

Its founder and President Kevin Tuerff, like Connor’s family, was one of the airline passengers diverted to Newfoundland that fateful day.

Caption: Connor Farry with his grandfather Tom Donlon 

Kevin’s experience is one of the true stories inspiring the Tony Award winning Broadway musical “Come From Away.”

The volunteerism, kindness and decency of the Canadians reflected a side of humanity that motivated Kevin to pioneer an organization that aims to honor those who perished and promote a better world.

This year, PayitForward911 continues to thrive and encourages us all to perform good deeds and random acts of kindness during their “11 days of Kindness and Unity” from September 1 -11.

You can register your acts of kindness at: www.payitforward911.org/test-form 

Connor was motivated to bring his communications expertise to the organisation as well as his love for "Come From Away,” which resonates strongly for him.

Connor and his employer, the Washington DC Public Relations firm Glen Echo Group, have actively participated in this initiative.

It is Connor’s goal to inspire as many as possible globally to do random acts of kindness not just around September 11, but throughout the year.

Needless to say, when we see what a tough world it is out there, Tom along with Connor’s parents, Eibhlin Donlon-Farry and Paul Farry are super proud of what this young man has become.

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