As Americans young and old struggle to understand the horror of last week’s unprecedented terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, many have also been asking one question: What can I do to help?
Across the country, students of all ages – from second graders to those in college – are raising relief money through bake sales and car washes. Those who are old enough are also giving blood and volunteering with the Red Cross and other charities.
So many people have donated supplies and food to rescue workers in New York and Washington, D.C., that no more of those items are needed at the moment.
You can still donate money, give blood or volunteer your time, however. Information on how to help is listed below.
Meanwhile, you can also help by listening to what leaders from President Bush on down are saying: Please do not attack, harass or otherwise harm Americans who happen to be Muslims or of Middle Eastern descent.
Bias attacks – including attacks on mosques and even murders – have reportedly occurred across the country in the last few days.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has set up a hot line where people can report bias incidents – the number is 800-552-6843.
TO VOLUNTEER AND DONATE RESOURCES:
- The MTV store has begun collecting donations for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The official times during which people can drop off cash or a check – Monday 9/17, Tuesday 9/18, Thursday 9/20 – 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday 9/19, Friday 9/21 – 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
- The Red Cross is looking for help from experienced medical and mental health professionals in the coming days, as well as other volunteers. To sign up for disaster training, contact your local chapter – via the white pages or www.redcross.org.
- Call 800-HELP-NOW – 800-435-7669 to make financial contributions to the Red Cross.
- Call 518-431-7600 for the Health Care Association of New York State – www.hanys.org, which is in need of specialists in search and rescue and mortuary/forensic/pathology services.
- Call 518-431-7600 for the Health Care Association of New York State – www.hanys.org, which is in need of specialists in search and rescue and mortuary/forensic/pathology services.
- Online retailer Amazon.com – www.amazon.com and search engine Yahoo – www.yahoo.com are also accepting monetary donations for the American Red Cross.
- Helping.org allows our users to both make donations and volunteer all over the country.
- The United Way of New York has started the September 11th fund to give immediate help to victims. You can donate by calling 212-251-4035 or by logging on to www.uwnyc.org.
- United Jewish Communities, the national organization representing all the Jewish Federations in North America, has opened an emergency fund, the proceeds of which will be used to ameliorate the suffering of the survivors of the September 11 attacks. You can donate at www.ujc.org.
