Tragedy hits home:

Help needed for families of USA workers

Among the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks were many union emergency service workers and other employees, including firefighters, airline workers, building trades workers, state workers, musicians, development and research workers, communications workers, longshoremen members, painters, steam fitters, electrical workers and financiers.

Many iron workers, building trades workers and emergency service workers have responded at the scene of the tragedies, and other locals have loaded donated food and water.

“We should thank the countless number of people who risked life and limb to save those who could be saved,” said UUP President William Scheuerman. “Their heroism gives us faith and hope in the human condition.” To help meet the needs associated with the aftermath of the disaster, NYSUT has established the NYSUT 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. Send contributions to 159 Wolf Rd., Box 15008, Albany, NY 12212-5008, or go to http://www.nysut.org. The AFT also has a special fund. Send contributions to the AFT Recovery Fund, 555 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO has issued a special call for disaster relief funds to help families of those who perished as they performed their work, whether in rescue efforts, in office buildings or on airplanes.

• The Union Community Fund is putting together a relief fund for brothers and sisters in New York City and the Washington, D.C., area. Make checks payable to Union Community Fund, Sept. 11 Relief Fund, 815 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, or donate online at http://www.unioncommunityfund.org
• New York City Central Labor Council Disaster Fund, 386 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016, (212) 685-9552
• American Federation of Government Employees World Trade Center/Pentagon, Federal Employee Education and Assistance World Trade Center/Pentagon Fund, 8441 W. Bowles Ave., Suite 200, Littleton, Colo., 80123-9501, (303) 933-7580
• Service Employees International Union, SEIU Sept. 11 Relief Fund, SEIU, 1313 St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005
• United Way, September 11 Fund, United Way of New York City, 2 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016, (212) 251-4035. Donors may specify New York City, Washington, D.C., or other affected areas.Many state employees have asked if they can designate their regular SEFA donation to the United Way relief fund, but SEFA officials have stated that the relief funds are not a substitute for a SEFA donation. The new relief fund is intended to help out in a disaster situation.
• Blood can be donated by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
• A special fund has been set up called the World Trade Center Relief Fund. Gov. George Pataki is urging all New Yorkers and concerned Americans who wish to support the emergency response and victim support effort to make a contribution to the fund, which is being coordinated with the Sept. 11 Fund established by United Way, and the New York Community Trust, and the Twin Towers Fund established by the City of New York. Go on http://www.worldtradecenter.com to make a donation.

-- Liza Frenette