Sept. 13, 2001 – On Day 3, here are reports concerning local activities and operations relating to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. mainland Tuesday. This posting is being updated throughout the day as additional information is received.
Notices may be e-mailed to source@viaccess.net. They may be faxed to 777-8136 or to (509) 267-3448.
Community-relations disaster training postponed
A two-day training course in "Community Relations During Disasters" that had been scheduled for Sept. 17 and 18 at the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency headquarters on St. Croix has been postponed.
Trainers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were scheduled to conduct the training session, for VITEMA staff and government public information officers. It will be rescheduled for a date to be announced, Elroy Harrison, VITEMA deputy director for St. Croix, said. For more information, call 773-2244.
Call for a million points of light
An e-mail circulating nationally calls for all Americans and their supporters to take a small but concerted action Friday at 7 p.m. — local time, from zone to zone, apparently — in response to Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
"Step outside the door of your home, stop your car and get out, or step out from your workplace, and light a candle," the message said. "We will send the world a message: We stand united. We will not tolerate terrorism."
DPNR offices to resume normal hours
The St. Thomas offices of the Planning and Natural Resources Department, located on the second floor of the Cyril E. King Airport terminal, will resume normal hours Friday. Commissioner Dean Plaskett advised all department employees that they should have proper identification visible at all times.
The offices were off limits to the public because the airport was shut down in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the mainland.
Forum on election reform postponed
A public forum to discuss election reform that had been scheduled for Saturday at the Holiday Inn/Windward Passage Hotel has been postponed to Sept. 22. The event is being presented by the Virgin Islanders for Democratic Action. Sen. Lorraine Berry issued an advisory Thursday afternoon about the postponement.
Among those who have been scheduled to speak and offer proposals to create an election system with more accountability are John Abramson, supervisor of elections; Arturo Watlington, V.I. Democratic Party chair; Woodrow Green, Caribbean Democratic Alliance Club chair; Delia Smith, assistant attorney general; former senator Arnold Golden; attorney Maxwell MacIntosh; and political scientists Paul Leary and Malik Sekou.
Pistarckle function postponed
Pistarckle Theater has postponed its season-announcement and wine-tasting party that had been scheduled for Friday evening at the Offshore Bar and Cyber Cafe in Havensight. The event has been rescheduled for Sept. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
It will include music by Lynette Oliver and a tasting of Caliterra wines, along with information about the theater children's program and the coming season. Admission is $15. For more information, call 775-7877.
Message calls for dressing to show pride
An e-mail making the rounds nationwide is asking that Americans and their supporters observe Friday as U.S. Color Day by dressing in red, white and blue in honor of those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks — the passengers and crews aboard the airplanes, the workers in the New York buildings and the Pentagon, the emergency crews who went to their rescue, and the bystanders on the streets.
"Jeans are blue, and everyone owns a white T-shirt," the message notes. "The goal is to get the whole nation to participate. Our prayers go out to the friends and families of the deceased." It says wearing red, white and blue will signal "pride in the United States and the freedom it represents … Let's get the whole country into it."
Beware of e-mails asking for money
Internet ScamBusters, an online consumer publication on Internet fraud, advised the public Wednesday to beware of e-mail scams related to Tuesday's terrorist attacks. For those moved to "reach out to the victims and their families and help in whatever way you can," the publication advised: "Make sure your help goes where you intend it."
Publishers Audri and Jim Lanford said they have "received reports of spammers sending out calls for assistance for 'emergency relief funds' and directing the recipients to 'contribute money to the Red Cross' — through the spammers' web sites. Many of these spammers are trying to steal money and credit card numbers. Do not respond to these emails!"
The Lanfords recommended that anyone wishing to contribute money to assist victims of the terrorist attacks do so through a major disaster-response organization, and "directly through the organization's site, or to a local chapter." (Telephone and online contact information for such organizations are provided in the Source story "Resources to get information, offer help.
The ScamBusters item also noted, "Amazon.com has set up a channel through which you can donate to the Red Cross, which may be a better choice for online donations. The Red Cross donations page has been swamped all day, and Amazon makes it very easy to donate from $1 to $100."
To access the donation channel, go to Amazon.com. As of mid-afternoon Thursday, the Amazon site had recorded nearly $3 million in donations to the Red Cross since Tuesday.
Calls out to show flag on Friday
E-mails are being circulated on the Internet with this message:
"To show those terrorists that we Americans stick together, Friday is going to be Flags Across America day. All Americans are asked to display the American flag in their homes and on their cars. Let's keep the meaning of United in United States. Pass this onto as many people as you know. Thank you."
Senate Rules Committee postponed
The Senate Rules Committee meeting that had been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday on St. Thomas has been postponed to Saturday, Sept. 22, Luis Sylvester, chief of staff to the committee chairm, Sen. Carlton Dowe, announced Thursday morning.
Because airlines are not yet flying, Jerris Browne, a nominee for the Public Services Commission who was scheduled to be considered Thursday, cannot get to St. Thomas, nor can two committee members who are on St. Croix, Sylvester said. He said the new Saturday date was set so that the committee can vote on Browne and another PSC nominees, Verne C. David, before two full Senate sessions scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25.

Sept. 13, 2001 – On Day 3, here are reports concerning local activities and operations relating to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. mainland Tuesday. This posting is being updated throughout the day as additional information is received.
Notices may be e-mailed to source@viaccess.net. They may be faxed to 777-8136 or to (509) 267-3448.
Community-relations disaster training postponed
A two-day training course in "Community Relations During Disasters" that had been scheduled for Sept. 17 and 18 at the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency headquarters on St. Croix has been postponed.
Trainers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were scheduled to conduct the training session, for VITEMA staff and government public information officers. It will be rescheduled for a date to be announced, Elroy Harrison, VITEMA deputy director for St. Croix, said. For more information, call 773-2244.
Call for a million points of light
An e-mail circulating nationally calls for all Americans and their supporters to take a small but concerted action Friday at 7 p.m. — local time, from zone to zone, apparently — in response to Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
"Step outside the door of your home, stop your car and get out, or step out from your workplace, and light a candle," the message said. "We will send the world a message: We stand united. We will not tolerate terrorism."
Forum on election reform postponed
A public forum to discuss election reform that had been scheduled for Saturday at the Holiday Inn/Windward Passage Hotel on St. Thomas has been postponed to Sept. 22. The event is being presented by the Virgin Islanders for Democratic Action. Sen. Lorraine Berry issued an advisory Thursday afternoon about the postponement.
Among those who have been scheduled to speak and offer proposals to create an election system with more accountability are John Abramson, supervisor of elections; Arturo Watlington, V.I. Democratic Party chair; Woodrow Green, Caribbean Democratic Alliance Club chair; Delia Smith, assistant attorney general; former senator Arnold Golden; attorney Maxwell MacIntosh; and political scientists Paul Leary and Malik Sekou.
Message calls for dressing to show pride
An e-mail making the rounds nationwide is asking that Americans and their supporters observe Friday as U.S. Color Day by dressing in red, white and blue in honor of those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks — the passengers and crews aboard the airplanes, the workers in the New York buildings and the Pentagon, the emergency crews who went to their rescue, and the bystanders on the streets.
"Jeans are blue, and everyone owns a white T-shirt," the message notes. "The goal is to get the whole nation to participate. Our prayers go out to the friends and families of the deceased." It says wearing red, white and blue will signal "pride in the United States and the freedom it represents … Let's get the whole country into it."
Beware of e-mails asking for money
Internet ScamBusters, an online consumer publication on Internet fraud, advised the public Wednesday to beware of e-mail scams related to Tuesday's terrorist attacks. For those moved to "reach out to the victims and their families and help in whatever way you can," the publication advised: "Make sure your help goes where you intend it."
Publishers Audri and Jim Lanford said they have "received reports of spammers sending out calls for assistance for 'emergency relief funds' and directing the recipients to 'contribute money to the Red Cross' — through the spammers' web sites. Many of these spammers are trying to steal money and credit card numbers. Do not respond to these emails!"
The Lanfords recommended that anyone wishing to contribute money to assist victims of the terrorist attacks do so through a major disaster-response organization, and "directly through the organization's site, or to a local chapter." (Telephone and online contact information for such organizations are provided in the Source story "Resources to get information, offer help.
The ScamBusters item also noted, "Amazon.com has set up a channel through which you can donate to the Red Cross, which may be a better choice for online donations. The Red Cross donations page has been swamped all day, and Amazon makes it very easy to donate from $1 to $100."
To access the donation channel, go to Amazon.com. As of mid-afternoon Thursday, the Amazon site had recorded nearly $3 million in donations to the Red Cross since Tuesday.
Calls out to show flag on Friday
E-mails are being circulated on the Internet with this message:
"To show those terrorists that we Americans stick together, Friday is going to be Flags Across America day. All Americans are asked to display the American flag in their homes and on their cars. Let's keep the meaning of United in United States. Pass this onto as many people as you know. Thank you."
Senate Rules Committee postponed
The Senate Rules Committee meeting that had been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday on St. Thomas has been postponed to Saturday, Sept. 22, Luis Sylvester, chief of staff to the committee chairm, Sen. Carlton Dowe, announced Thursday morning.
Because airlines are not yet flying, Jerris Browne, a nominee for the Public Services Commission who was scheduled to be considered Thursday, cannot get to St. Thomas, nor can two committee members who are on St. Croix, Sylvester said. He said the new Saturday date was set so that the committee can vote on Browne and another PSC nominees, Verne C. David, before two full Senate sessions scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25.

Sept. 13, 2001 – Regularly scheduled civilian air traffic across the nation began resuming at 11 a.m. Thursday, but it was clear that the number of flights would be limited, and the timeline for a return to full operations remained uncertain.
No specific information concerning flights into or out of the Virgin Islands was immediately available.
As of 9 a.m., David Mapp, Port Authority assistant director, had no word on when flights in and out of the territory's two airports would resume. He said that the Federal Aviation Administrator advised him that he would receive more information near noon.
Two airplanes were stranded at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas when the FAA closed all airports on Tuesday, Mapp said. One is the American Airlines plane that left New York's Kennedy Airport around 8 a.m. that day. The other is an American Eagle plane.
Mapp said Cape Air officials told him they are ready to resume flights between St. Thomas and St. Croix. He said many local residents, including himself, have not been able to get back to their home island. He said there were cars lined up outside Cyril E. King Airport filled with people hoping for flights out Thursday.
Shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced that some airports would reopen at that hour. Around 5 p.m. Wednesday, he had announced authorization for the aircraft diverted on Tuesday for emergency landing to reboard passengers from those flights and transport them to their ticketed destinations. Those flights began taking place Wednesday night. Many had been diverted to Canada.
Some officials indicated it would be "several days" before all airports reopened; others suggested it might be longer than that. There also have been repeated advisories that passengers should expect check-in to take up to two hours, even for domestic flights.
Anyone wanting specific information about flights scheduled to depart and arrive in the Virgin Islands should try to contact the airlines directly. Toll-free numbers are given below.
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft stated Thursday morning that the top priority of the federal government with regard to resuming flights was "to secure airports and airplanes."
According to media reports, the beefed-up security will include such things as these:
– No more use of electronic ticketing (by computer, with purchasers issued ticket numbers and other information to print out for themselves).
– No more curbside check-in of baggage.
– No more access to boarding areas by non-passengers.
– No more allowing of passengers to carry aboard small knives, including plastic knives.
– Requirement of certified, uniformed personnel to operate scanners and other security check-point operations.
– Random identification checks at airports.
– Close monitoring of all vehicles arriving at airports.
– Use of dogs for security.
In the Virgin Islands, the ban imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration applies to inter-island flights, including those by seaplane, as well as flights from outside the territory.
Toll-free passenger information numbers for off-island airlines serving the territory are:
American 1-800-474-4884
Continental 1-787-793-7373
Delta 1-800-325-1999, 1-800-221-1212
United 1-800-241-6522
USAir 1-800-622-1015

Sept. 13, 2001 – Here is an updated listing of telephone numbers and web sites for providing and obtaining information about individuals who may have been victims of the terrorist attacks on the mainland, as well as numbers and sites for offering assistance.
Justice Department Office of Victims and Crime clearinghouse number, to leave contact information for call-back about missing individuals: 1-800-331-0075. The web site for the same office is www.responsecare.com.
World Trade Center Survivors Check-in webside, to collect names and where a current list is posted and continually updated: www.ny.com/wtcform.html.
New York City number announced by Mayor Rudolph Giulani to call for information about victims there: 1-212-560-2730.
New York City Family and Friends contact numbers: 1-866-856-4167, 1-212-741-4626, 1-212-560-2730.
New York City survivors taken by ferry to New Jersey shelters web site: www.ahnj.com.
FBI/Internet Fraud Complaint Center electronic form to Report Terrorist Activity: the web site www.ifccfbi.gov.
World Trade Center concerns: Morgan Stanley emergency number
1-888-883-4391.
American Red Cross Donor Assistance Line, for information on donating funds, donating blood and volunteering: 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669). American Red Cross survivor search and donation information web site: www.redcross.org.
Another way to donate money, from $1 to $100, to the American Red Cross, is via a special page on the Amazon.com web site.
To make United Way September 11 Fund donations, call
1-212-251-4035.
For Salvation Army donations, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
(1-800-725-2769).
To get information on how to assist victims, visit the web site for Helping.org.
For physicians to volunteer their services: 1-518-431-7600. For nurses to do so: 1-800-628-0193.
For Pentagon employees to check in and announce their well-being:
Army- 1-800-984-8523, 1-703-428-0002
Navy and Marine Corps – 1-877-663-6772
Air Force – 1-800-253-9276
For New York firefighters and other emergency workers information: 1-718-999-2541.
For New York police officers information: 1-718-677-8283.
Airlines:
American Airlines (Flight No. 11, Boston to Los Angeles, which crashed into the first World Trade Center Tower; Flight No. 77, Washington/Dulles to LosAngeles, which crashed into the Pentagon) — 1-800-245-0999.
United Airlines (Flight No. 93, Newark to San Francisco, which crashed in western Pennsylvania; Flight No. 175, Boston to Los Angeles, which crashed into the second World Trade Center tower) — 1-800-932-8555.

Sept. 12, 2001 – As Wednesday's work day on St. Thomas came to an end, about 150 residents made their way into the St. Thomas Reformed Church on Nye Gade — 1,500 miles from the scenes of devastation in New York City and Washington, D.C. — seeking solace in shared mourning.
Rabbi Jay Heyman and Rev. Jeffrey Gargano led members of their congregations along with a smattering of Catholics, Baha'is and others in an ecumenical "service of sorrow and solidarity."
Many in attendance said their loved ones in New York and Washington were accounted for and safe.
Gargano, pastor of the Reformed church, started the service with "a simple phrase" spoken by a friend earlier in the day — that the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington were "too big to be real … too baffling to speak of."
Heyman read from an e-mail received from his journalist brother-in-law, who wrote, "I hope that we can treat this event not as a crime for which the best we can do is bring the perpetrators to justice, but as an act of war for which we must respond by changing the course of world affairs. That will require much more … than simply bombing innocent people in some far-off dictatorship."
Gargano said one of the jolting things about the terrorist attacks was, "We saw it in our living rooms, in the place we share love with our families."
A little later Wednesday evening, at Nisky Moravian Church, acolyte Ida Dawson led several dozen attendees at a prayer vigil in simple hymns and prayers. Church sexton Albert Lewis said the congregation has been without a pastor since early August, when the Rev. Walton Frederick left the island for further study.
But lack of a pastor didn't seem to faze Dawson, who stood at the front of the church sanctuary at a lectern and told those gathered, "Somebody knows somebody or knows somebody that knows somebody that worked in one of those buildings, somebody who is in the hospital, somebody in the rubble."
Lewis said all of the many family members he had in the New York area were safe. "There is no reason for any of them to be in that area," he said. "They all live uptown."
Lewis once lived in New York but came back to St. Thomas in the early '70s, "around the time the twin towers were finished." He said he lived in New York during the late '60s when they were being built. "I was in one of those buildings once," he recalled.
Words of comfort were offered at both services.
"Whenever we hear hate, it is up to us to cling to the eternal foundations of faith, " Gargano said. He was echoed later by Lewis, who said, "God is good and He is going to see us through."

Sept. 12, 2001 – Members of the Arab community on St. Thomas said Wednesday that they stand with other Americans in revulsion and disbelief at the terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people Tuesday in New York and Washington, D.C.
Several people of Palestinian descent, noting that it is not clear who carried out the attacks, said it is wrong to jump to the conclusion that Arab extremists were behind them. But even if Arab groups are shown to have carried out the attacks, that does not mean the people from Palestine and Jordan who have chosen to live on St. Thomas have anything to do with it, they said.
"This is dirty stuff, dirty things, this killing civilians. No one likes that to happen to anyone," said Zeyad Abuzead, a Palestinian who moved to St. Thomas several years ago and who now owns the Zima II Grocery on Kronprindsens Gade. "I don't know what is the brain, how you can think, to do something like that. We are all human beings, man, all human beings."
In the hours after the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, U.S. officials said they believed Saudi Arabian exile Osama Bin Laden may have been the mastermind behind the highly coordinated terrorism. Other groups cited as possible culprits include extremist Palestinian organizations, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and Iranian-backed groups that have been linked to previous terrorist attacks, according to news wire accounts.
But several people on St. Thomas noted Wednesday that after the Oklahoma City federal building bombing in 1995, officials also initially pointed their fingers at Palestinian and other Arab groups. Those accusations were shown to have been unfounded when Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols and others associated with American paramilitary movements were arrested in connection with attack.
"I'm hoping that the Palestinian community, the Arab community, has nothing to do with this. We're not proud of this at all," said Andy Garcia, the grandson of Palestinians who immigrated to Puerto Rico decades ago. "It wouldn't be fair to judge the whole Palestinian community as criminals. That wouldn't be fair."
Garcia, like many other people of Arab descent living on St. Thomas, said he is an American first and foremost, and that the attack Tuesday was an attack against his own country. "Whoever did this, they should be punished. Even if it's Palestinians, they should be punished," he said.
Others living on St. Thomas also said Wednesday that it would be wrong to single out the whole Arab community for blame. "This is a racism problem," Pepsi Lettsome, a West Indian, said. "You know, the Palestinians, the Iranians, they always get blamed. They're not responsible for everything. The problem is when we don't respect one another."
Sen. Lorraine Berry issued a release Wednesday saying the territory should not question the concerns expressed by members of the Arab community about the loss of American lives in Tuesday's attacks.
She said all public officials should speak out against "retaliatory measures against locally owned Arab businesses by boycotting," as some callers to radio talk shows have urged. She expressed trust "that sound reason and good judgment will prevail among all Virgin Islanders, whatever their ethnic background and culture."
Zaid Rasheed, the son of Palestinian parents who immigrated to Puerto Rico about 35 years ago, noted that Arabs have been living in the United States for more than a century. He said they have not been any more responsible for violent acts than members of other ethnic groups.
"In my heart, I feel I'm an American," Rasheed said Wednesday. "This hurts. When I see what happened yesterday, it hurt."
He said he does not believe the act was carried out by Palestinian groups but knows some people are going to blame the Arab community anyhow. "Everything that happens in the U.S., they say it's the Arabs," he said.

Sept. 12, 2001 – Members of the Arab community on St. Thomas said Wednesday that they stand with other Americans in revulsion and disbelief at the terrorist attacks that killed thousands of people Tuesday in New York and Washington, D.C.
Several people of Palestinian descent, noting that it is not clear who carried out the attacks, said it is wrong to jump to the conclusion that Arab extremists were behind them. But even if Arab groups are shown to have been behind the attacks, that does not mean the people from Palestine and Jordan who have chosen to live on St. Thomas have anything to do with it, they said.
"This is dirty stuff, dirty things, this killing civilians. No one likes that to happen to anyone," said Zeyad Abuzead, a Palestinian who moved to St. Thomas several years ago and who now owns the Zima II Grocery on Kronprindsens Gade. "I don't know what is the brain, how you can think, to do something like that. We are all human beings, man, all human beings."
In the hours after the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, U.S. officials said they believed Saudi Arabian exile Osama Bin Laden may have been the mastermind behind the highly coordinated terrorism. Other groups cited as possible culprits include extremist Palestinian organizations, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and Iranian-backed groups that have been linked to previous terrorist attacks, according to news wire accounts.
But several people on St. Thomas noted Wednesday that after the Oklahoma City federal building bombing in 1995, officials also initially pointed their fingers at Palestinian and other Arab groups. Those accusations were shown to be unfounded when Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols and others associated with American paramilitary movements were arrested in connection with attack.
"I'm hoping that the Palestinian community, the Arab community, has nothing to do with this. We're not proud of this at all," said Andy Garcia, the grandson of Palestinians who immigrated to Puerto Rico decades ago. "It wouldn't be fair to judge the whole Palestinian community as criminals. That wouldn't be fair."
Garcia, like many other people of Arab descent living on St. Thomas, said he is an American first and foremost, and that the attack Tuesday was an attack against his own country. "Whoever did this, they should be punished. Even if it's Palestinians, they should be punished," he said.
Others living on St. Thomas also said Wednesday that it would be wrong to single out the whole Arab community for blame. "This is a racism problem," Pepsi Lettsome, a West Indian, said. "You know, the Palestinians, the Iranians, they always get blamed. They're not responsible for everything. The problem is when we don't respect one another."
Sen. Lorraine Berry issued a release Wednesday saying the territory should not question the concerns expressed by members of the Arab community about the loss of American lives in Tuesday's attacks.
She said all public officials should speak out against "retaliatory measures against locally owned Arab businesses by boycotting," as some callers to radio talk shows have urged. She expressed trust "that sound reason and good judgment will prevail among all Virgin Islanders, whatever their ethnic background and culture."
Zaid Rasheed, the son of Palestinian parents who immigrated to Puerto Rico about 35 years ago, noted that Arabs have been living in the United States for more than a century. He said they have not been any more responsible for violent acts than members of other ethnic groups.
"In my heart, I feel I'm an American," Rasheed said Wednesday. "This hurts. When I see what happened yesterday, it hurt."
He said he does not believe the act was carried out by Palestinian groups but knows some people are going to blame the Arab community anyhow. "Everything that happens in the U.S., they say it's the Arabs," he said.

Sept. 12, 2001 — How can I help? I can’t contact my daughter in New York City. Where can I donate blood? The local chapters of the American Red Cross have been fielding queries such as these — and more — in the wake of the terrorist attack on the mainland.
Virgin Islands residents can help in the aid effort, but because neither the St. Croix Red Cross chapter nor the St. Thomas-St. John one have the capability to collect blood, the most direct way for residents to provide assistance is through monetary donations, according to the St. Croix Red Cross interim manager, Wendy Horton.
Blood donations are being handled by Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas and Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
While the Red Cross can try to help local residents contact immediate family members, people should attempt to make contact for themselves first, Pat Odoms, public affairs officer for the St. Thomas-St. John chapter, said.
"Please understand that, due to chaotic circumstances and communications issues, this process may take some time," Odoms said, "but we will make every effort to locate your family."
Because of isolation from the mainland with the current ban on airline flights, island residents are limited in how they can help. For information on donating blood, people can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or log on to the www.redcross.org.
Horton said that information about assisting can be obtained by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. For information in Spanish, call 1-800-257-7575.
"If folks want to assist financially to help the victims, they can," she said.
Donations also can be made by mailing a check to the St. Croix American Red Cross at P.O. Box 6617, Sunny Isle 00823. "Designate that it is for the terrorist attack," Horton said. "We want to send it where people intend for it to go."
Horton said two people from the St. Croix chapter who have been trained in disaster relief will fly to White Plains, N.Y., as soon as civilian flights resume.
For more information, contact the St. Croix chapter at 778-5104 or the St. Thomas-St. John chapter at 774-0375.
For additional phone numbers and web sites, see "Resources to get information, offer help".

Sept. 12, 2001 — How can I help? I can’t contact my daughter in New York City. Where can I donate blood? The local chapters of the American Red Cross have been fielding queries such as these — and more — in the wake of the terrorist attack on the mainland.
Virgin Islands residents can help in the aid effort, but because neither the St. Croix Red Cross chapter nor the St. Thomas-St. John one have the capability to collect blood, the most direct way for residents to provide assistance is through monetary donations, according to the St. Croix Red Cross interim manager, Wendy Horton.
Blood donations are being handled by Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas and Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
While the Red Cross can try to help local residents contact immediate family members, people should attempt to make contact for themselves first, Pat Odoms, public affairs officer for the St. Thomas-St. John chapter, said.
"Please understand that, due to chaotic circumstances and communications issues, this process may take some time," Odoms said, "but we will make every effort to locate your family."
Because of isolation from the mainland with the current ban on airline flights, island residents are limited in how they can help. For information on donating blood, people can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or log on to the www.redcross.org.
Horton said that information about assisting can be obtained by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. For information in Spanish, call 1-800-257-7575.
"If folks want to assist financially to help the victims, they can," she said.
Donations also can be made by mailing a check to the St. Croix American Red Cross at P.O. Box 6617, Sunny Isle 00823. "Designate that it is for the terrorist attack," Horton said. "We want to send it where people intend for it to go."
Horton said two people from the St. Croix chapter who have been trained in disaster relief will fly to White Plains, N.Y., as soon as civilian flights resume.
For more information, contact the St. Croix chapter at 778-5104 or the St. Thomas-St. John chapter at 774-0375.
For additional phone numbers and web sites, see "Resources to get information, offer help".

Sept. 12, 2001 — How can I help? I can’t contact my daughter in New York City. Where can I donate blood? The local chapters of the American Red Cross have been fielding queries such as these — and more — in the wake of the terrorist attack on the mainland.
Virgin Islands residents can help in the aid effort, but because neither the St. Croix Red Cross chapter nor the St. Thomas-St. John one have the capability to collect blood, the most direct way for residents to provide assistance is through monetary donations, according to the St. Croix Red Cross interim manager, Wendy Horton.
Blood donations are being handled by Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas and Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
While the Red Cross can try to help local residents contact immediate family members, people should attempt to make contact for themselves first, Pat Odoms, public affairs officer for the St. Thomas-St. John chapter, said.
"Please understand that, due to chaotic circumstances and communications issues, this process may take some time," Odoms said, "but we will make every effort to locate your family."
Because of isolation from the mainland with the current ban on airline flights, island residents are limited in how they can help. For information on donating blood, people can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or log on to the www.redcross.org.
Horton said that information about assisting can be obtained by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. For information in Spanish, call 1-800-257-7575.
"If folks want to assist financially to help the victims, they can," she said.
Donations also can be made by mailing a check to the St. Croix American Red Cross at P.O. Box 6617, Sunny Isle 00823. "Designate that it is for the terrorist attack," Horton said. "We want to send it where people intend for it to go."
Horton said two people from the St. Croix chapter who have been trained in disaster relief will fly to White Plains, N.Y., as soon as civilian flights resume.
For more information, contact the St. Croix chapter at 778-5104 or the St. Thomas-St. John chapter at 774-0375.
For additional phone numbers and web sites, see "Resources to get information, offer help".