Each year since the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, Paul Mitchell cosmetology schools across America have held some type of event in remembrance of the precious lives lost that day.

Schools have announced their plans for this year's tributes, which will take place during the week of September 7–13, 2014. Many schools will invite police, firefighters, military, and first responders to stop by for free services or other special events. Other schools will host fundraising events for local police, firefighters, their widows and orphans funds, and even for rescue dogs. Every school will hold a special in-school tribute or memorial that day, with students and staff sharing stories of how the events of September 11 helped them improve their lives or become closer to their families.

Winn Claybaugh, dean and cofounder of the nationwide network, says, “The lesson we all learned from 9/11 was unity, and each year our Paul Mitchell Schools commit ourselves to doing more to keep alive the lessons we’ve learned, in honor of the brave individuals who lost their lives. We think the best way to do that is to reach out locally and show our support for those wonderful people who keep our communities safe.”

In addition, on a national level, Paul Mitchell Schools have partnered with the Gary Sinise Foundation since 2012 to support and thank our nation’s most severely wounded warriors while supporting active duty service members, veterans, first responders, and the children and families of our fallen. To date, through their annual FUNraising campaign, Paul Mitchell Schools have donated $410,000 to support the services provided by the Gary Sinise Foundation, which include building custom-designed “smart homes” for individuals like Taylor Morris, who became a quadruple amputee while serving with the navy in Afghanistan.