Immediately following the tragedy that consumed the towers of the World Trade Center there was an overwhelming response from the public to join in the rescue effort. Within days, New York City's mayor had announced that there were more than enough volunteers, and a huge sum of money had already been raised to aid the families of the victims.

The Salvation Army, an agency designated to collect relief supplies, resorted to storing surplus materials on the sidewalk as truck convoys from all over the country quickly created bulging warehouses. More recently, government officials had been telling us to fly, go to plays, ballgames and restaurants; and generally to spend more money.

The President of the United States even asked our children to contribute their dollars to help the starving kids in Afghanistan. While motivating youngsters to show compassion is never inappropriate, adults seemed to feel an urge to participate in something more than consumption.

Americans are currently experiencing a surge in patriotism that has not been evident for a very long time. We are united as we once were only during World War II. Abruptly, people may have come to realize what's really important in their fleeting lives. It's not just the economy that we need to address. What about apathy and indifference?

Our President has now asked us to do more by volunteering. Why not reach out to those we may not have noticed before September 11 ? We've accumulated a vast amount of life experience that we could easily share. How about mentoring a worried child, offering assistance to a struggling, small business, or befriending an older citizen who may not be coping as well as we are?

There are so many ways to contribute, there are bound to be needs that could respond to a wide range of skills and energy levels. What does any of this have to do with September 11 and why should it be an appropriate course of action ?

Because if enough of us make the effort we will be strengthening the communities around us. That's one of the advantages of living in a democracy - having the freedom to do as much good as we possibly can. And if we're involved in helping our neighbors might not we also be concerned about the administration and running of our government?

That we were vulnerable to the attacks that have already occurred in our cities is obvious. It's not that our defenses were down. We didn't even know that we had reason to worry. Surely a stronger, more engaged citizenry will signal those who govern us as well as our enemies that we are not about to let it happen again. We owe that at least to those whose memories we cherish.

(Gerald Osterberg is Board Member of Westbury Rising Foundation and a mentor of children at the Westbury Middle School.)