New York - World Trade Center
How Rotarians can help....
14-15 Sep 2001

Messages from Les Lee, District 1260 International Committee Chairman
and from RI

Photos: The Twin Towers - after the attack  [Source: BBC]

Dear Fellow Rotarians

I apologise to you for sending so many messages about the current disaster especially as it is constantly on our television screens. As some organisation is being put into place with regard to assistance there is a constantly changing scene and I have endeavoured to keep you informed as soon as I receive the messages....

No doubt clubs are giving support to anyone who needs support in their communities who have lost members of their families and any American visitors who may be stranded here. However I have now received a further message from RI that gives details for you information of those organisations that need support.

Dear Rotarians:

Thank you for your interest in helping the victims of the horrific terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. Rotary International is dedicated to continue supporting Rotary Clubs and encourages Rotarians to develop projects at the club and district level to help the victims and their families.

To date, two accounts have been opened to directly accept funds from Rotarians. Other account information will be made available in the near future. Contributions raised by Rotary clubs and districts may be sent to the following accounts, which have been opened by the Rotary Club of New York and Rotary District 7250 to aid in the relief efforts in New York City:

1. The Rotary Club of New York:
Make cheques out to: "New York Rotary Foundation of the Rotary Club of New York"
Mail to: The Rotary Club of New York
28 West 44th Street - Suite 1508
New York, NY 10036
USA

Or you can wire transfer contributions directly to:

The New York Rotary Foundation
Chase Manhattan Bank
Account Number: 0331041640
Routing Number: 02100021

If you have questions, please contact Andreas Runggatscher, Executive Director, Rotary Club of New York, 212-819-0809 (o),
 E-mail: ny.rotary@verizon.net.

2. Rotary District 7250:
Please visit: http://www.rotary7250.org to learn more.
Make contributions to: "7250 Foundation Disaster Fund / WTC - 911"
Mail to: District 7250 / WTC-911
GPO Box 270
Oyster Bay, New York 11771-270
USA

Rotary International President Rick King has posted a special message on Rotary's Web site expressing condolences and explaining how Rotarians canhelp in this time of need at:
http://www.rotary.org/response/pressmessage.html.

An article has also been featured in the Rotary News Basket at:
http://www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/newsbasket/index.html.

While developing your specific projects, we encourage Rotary clubs to consider the following options:

3. American Red Cross:
To make a secure online donation to the relief efforts, visit:

http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
 or call (800) HELP-NOW (800) 435-7669) or (800) 257-7575 (Spanish). Or send your donation to the:
American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.
To donate blood, please call (800) GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543).

4. Silver Shield Foundation:
A client of Changing Our World's services division is in a position to help the families of firefighters and police officers killed in the World Trade Center collapse. The Silver Shield Foundation is collecting funds for the educational needs of the children of the firefighters and police officers who perished in their heroic duty. For information on making a contribution, please call Martin Duffy at our offices, 212-499-0866, ext. 27 or send e-mail to silvershield@changingourworld.com.

5. September 11th Fund:
The United Way of America and the New York Community Trust have announced the establishment of the September 11th Fund in response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Fund may send their donations to the United Way, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, or by calling 212.251.4035. Donations are also being accepted on United Way of New York City's website:
https://www.uwnyc.com/epledge/sept11.cfm

6. International Association of Fire Fighters:
Help fallen fire fighters and their families by donating to the International Association of Fire Fighters' Emergency Fund.
http://www.iaff.org/

7. New York State Fraternal Order of Police Fund:
The New York State Fraternal Order of Police has set up a fund to help police and their families affected by the tragedy at the World Trade Center.
http://www.nysfop.org/WTCdisaster/Fund.html

8. New York Times Neediest Cases Fund:
The New York Times Company has begun a special campaign to raise money for the victims of the attack on the World Trade Center through its Neediest Cases Fund. Donations can be made online at:
http://prodpub.wavesys.com/cw/donations.asp?charity=neediest911

or sent to: The New York Times 9/11 Neediest Fund, P.O. Box 5193, General Post Office, New York, NY 10087.

9. Helping.org:
Helping.org has posted a list of Web sites and charities accepting online donations and aid for those affected by Tuesday's terrorist attacks. For more information, visit:
http://helping.org/

10. National Organization for Victim Assistance:
The National Organization for Victims Assistance has established a Fund for Terrorist Attack Victims. For more information on how you can help, visit:
http://www.try-nova.org/

We encourage you to share with us information about any outstanding Rotary club and district projects related to the tragedy that need support. Thank you for your support at this time of great loss.

Sincerely,
Jill Neumann
Program Correspondent
International Support Section, RI
(847) 866-4487 telephone,  (847) 866-6116 fax
NeumannJ@rotaryintl.org