ONLINE EDITION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2001

The terrorist attacks that took place in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania have affected everyone in the United States in different ways. Some were directly affected by the loss of loved ones and others still just traumatized. It has been said many times in the last week that the word "normal" will never have the same meaning, but local residents are doing their part to help.

The North Shore University Hospital at the Plainview and Syosset locations collected $5,250 in cash donations from employees as well as community members.

On site in the hospitals red, white and blue lapel pins are for sale as well as purple and black pins, which was started by the emergency room in honor of the firefighters, police officers and EMS workers that were killed or are missing. The pins are $1 and the proceeds will be donated to help the relief effort. Printed flags are also for sale at the hospital for people to put in their cars. "This is a group effort of Plainview and Syosset together," said Joe Ellen Cole, public information officer from North Shore University Hospital at Plainview. "We are still in need of cash donations."

According to Cole, over 1,000 people donated blood. "We thank them for everything and we ask them to continue to donate throughout the year," she said. "There was a blood shortage before this tragedy and now we have so much. We need continued support."

The following individuals and companies have helped in the relief effort through the hospital: CES Computer in Plainview; Dr. Genna and his wife and the Greater South Bay Dental Group; Stop and Shop of Hicksville; Neutrogena Corporation; KC Trading, Inc.; Power Brake Service; Long Island Moving and Storage, which is transporting everything into the city; Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York in Smithtown; local resident Dana Fahr, Mr. and Mrs. Handburger; residents Gil, Marvin, Jorge and Joe B.; and Sir Speedy in Plainview.

Also, three quilts, handmade by Barbara Bocassi, a registered nurse at Syosset, will be on display at each hospital to be raffled off at $5 a ticket. This will probably be done at the Health Fair, which is Oct. 21 and the raffle will keep going until that time. Tickets can be purchased in the hospital lobby at either the Syosset or Plainview location, with the proceeds also to be donated.

The Town of Oyster Bay is joining with the Salvation Army to collect needed supplies for those involved in the recovery and cleanup operation at the World Trade Center.

The supplies requested by the Salvation Army are inexpensive white men’s socks, new men’s work pants, work gloves, face masks, hand-held size plastic containers of bottled water and Gatorade or other “sports drinks” (no soda), wrapped candy, chewing gum, and travel toothbrush/toothpaste kits. Please do not bring anything other than those items listed.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 17, and continuing until further notice, the following town facilities will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accept supplies:

Town Hall West (the lobby), 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay

Department of Public Works (radio room), 150 Miller Place, Syosset

Town Hall South (lobby), 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa

Once the items have been collected, the town will sort, box and truck them to the Salvation Army’s drop-off site in Blue Point. The Salvation Army will then transport the supplies into New York City.

Residents are encouraged to call 1-800-HELP-NOW to find out how to donate money, which is greatly needed by the Red Cross now.

A centralized information source and website, LIRelief.org, was launched as a support and informational vehicle for victims and their families of the World Trade Center disaster. The site, which is up and running as of today, will provide up-to-the-minute information, support and relief for the countless individuals who have been affected by recent terrorist activities here in the US.

The LIRelief.org website hosts accurate information about government agencies, business sources, disaster donation funds, blood donor locations, volunteer needs and locations, counseling services, missingpersons, agencies and files, calendars of events, up-to-the minute news feeds and message boards for families to post information about their loved ones.

Brad Casiano and Sean Steger, creators of LIRelief.org, said, "We created this website in response to Mayor Giuliani's plea. With all of the rumors and false information circulating, we wanted to provide an informational and supportive alternative for victims and their families."

Organizations, charities, foundations, scholarship funds and/or individuals wanting to link to the LIRelief.org website or post information should send information to: info@LIRelief.org. The web managers will post information in order to avoid false or inaccurate information. Additional information is available by visiting the www.lirelief.org website, or emailing info@lirelief.org. The response to this website has already been overwhelming. The volunteers at LIRelief.org kindly ask for patience in responding to any and all requests.