Mat-Su shows charitable spirit in wake of disaster

MAT-SU -- In the face of the recent tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., many Americans have agreed to set aside their differences and bind themselves together to prove themselves unwilling to let acts of terror dampen their spirit.

As a result, thousands flooded into their local blood banks, ready to donate, until the Red Cross asked donors to begin making appointments. But there are many other ways to give, according to officials with local charitable organizations.

The Salvation Army's Mat-Su Corps is accepting monetary donations or donations of goods to assist in relief funding. Beth Holmes, secretary to Major Marv Samuelson at the Anchorage Salvation Army headquarters, said 10 percent of the price of every item sold at local Salvation Army stores will go to fund the organization's world services efforts, all of which are now earmarked toward disaster relief as a result of last week's attack.

Holmes said donations of goods are always welcome, but if people would rather donate money directly to the relief effort, a simple designation on a check or an envelope containing cash would help the money head in the right direction.

Donations should be marked "Disaster Relief Efforts" and may be designated to either New York City or Washington D.C. Monetary donations may be dropped off at local stores or they may be sent to the Anchorage headquarters at P.O. Box 101459, Anchorage, AK 99510. Credit card donations may be given online at http://www.salvationarmy.org or through the organization's toll-free number, 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

The Blood Bank of Alaska's Mat-Su Chapter is still taking donations, although by appointment only at this time. Local staff have said they appreciate the willingness to donate, but hope donations will continue as the weeks go by. The chapter may be contacted at 376-1195 or at its Wasilla location, 851 E. Westpoint Ave.

The American Red Cross' Wasilla branch is also accepting donations. Sally Anderson, the Wasilla branch operations manager, said the branch's four phone lines have been overloaded in the past week -- to the point she's considering adding new lines -- with people calling to donate or give of their time. Anderson said money and volunteers are the two things needed by the branch at this time.

Volunteers, she said, are needed to help man the office in Wasilla and also to help staff the emergency shelter set up in Anchorage to accommodate travelers stranded and low on money as a result of the unprecedented Federal Aviation Administration's grounding of all civilian aircraft Tuesday and Wednesday. Volunteers can contact the local office at 357-6060.

Those wishing to donate may contact the local office at that same number or stop by the organization's 262 E. Nelson St. location. Donations may also be given electronically at the organization's Web site -- http://www.redcross.org. A toll-free telephone line is set up for donors as well, at 1-800-HELP-NOW, although Anderson said it may be difficult to get through to an operator at this time. Those wishing to make donations locally may also stop by a Wells Fargo branch, where the Red Cross has a disaster relief fund set up for direct donations. The fund account number is 2016985442.

United Way is accepting donations to the relief effort as well. Although the United Way of Mat-Su office was closed Friday, staff at the Anchorage United Way office said many United Way agencies across the country are accepting donations for a September 11 Fund. Donations to that fund may be made directly online at http://www.uwnyc.org or by contacting the Anchorage office at (907) 263-2040. Donations can be earmarked to go to the affected community of the donor's discretion. For more information about helping or donating locally, contact United Way of Mat-Su at 373-5807.

Mat-Su Fire Chiefs Association and borough mayor Tim Anderson have set up a relief effort of their own to assist the families of the firefighters and rescue workers who lost their lives responding to the attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York City Tuesday. Johnny Murdock, spokesman for the effort, said Friday that an account is set up at Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union for those wishing to donate to the families of the rescue workers. Although the fund-raising event is being handled through the borough, Murdock said no administrative fee will be taken.

"One hundred percent of the money will go to the families," Murdock said.

Donations may be made directly to the account, number 92863, at Mat-Valley. The collection is slated to run for a month, culminating in a special Fill-the-Helmet event on Oct. 11.

Many other charitable organizations are taking donations as a part of the event. Contact your local church or volunteer organization to learn other ways to contribute to the disaster relief effort.