How to help on the 25th anniversary of 9/11: groups still supporting first responders and families

EDITOR'S NOTE: CNN Films “9/11” airs Sunday, September 6, and “Top of the World” premieres Monday, September 7. CNN’s “9/11: 25 Years Later” coverage begins live at 7 a.m. ET on Friday, September 11.

The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks took nearly 3,000 lives and altered the lives of countless others — first responders, recovery workers, witnesses and the families who lost loved ones. Twenty-five years later, many who survived that day and worked in the months afterward still live with the consequences, including illnesses that have taken years to surface.

A network of charities has been helping throughout that time. Since the weeks after the attacks, these groups have distributed funds to cover medical expenses and financial needs, and have offered mentoring and scholarships for children affected by the tragedy. Their role, according to those who run the groups, has only broadened as needs have evolved.

Here are some of the organizations supporting 9/11 first responders and affected families.

Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund — Distributes financial aid to children of 9/11 victims and rescue responders.

FealGood Foundation — Provides advocacy and support for 9/11 responders dealing with catastrophic health issues.

Leary Firefighters Foundation — Helps fire departments obtain training and equipment.

Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation — Provides mortgage-free homes and scholarships for families of fallen veterans and first responders, as well as those who have suffered catastrophic injuries.

Tuesday’s Promise — Supports young people and families affected by 9/11, including post-9/11 military families of the fallen who endured losses as a ripple effect of the attacks.

Their work remains a way for the country to honor a commitment made after the attacks: that those who served and those who lost loved ones would not be forgotten as time moved on.