EDITORIAL: Disaster relief donations still sorely needed

   The outpouring has been amazing.
   From across the region and the country, people and organizations have stepped up to the plate in an effort to aid the victims of last week’s terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
   Members of the South Brunswick Police Department and the town’s fire and first aid companies headed north to help last week and other local groups — including several township schools — have conducted their own aid drives.
   And while the immediate need for food, water, clothes and other supplies for rescue workers has diminished thanks to the awesome response, that does not mean we should turn away. In fact, the need will remain great into the future.
   At the moment, those closest to the disaster are asking that those interested in helping make cash donations to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, and there will be a need for blood in the weeks ahead to maintain supplies.
   And there are other ways to get involved. Here are several ways you can help:
   — The South Brunswick Clergy Association is holding an interfaith prayer service tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 at St. Augustine R.C. Church, 45 Henderson Road in Kendall Park.
   Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders, as well as Mayor Debra M. Johnson and Police Chief Michael Paquette, will be presiding while the vocal ensemble from Crossroads School will lead the congregation in song. In the cafeteria afterward, crisis counselors will provide their services in both group and individual formats. People are encouraged to car pool due to limited parking.
    — The South Brunswick PBA is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund. All donations will go directly to severely injured South Brunswick residents and families of the deceased. Checks can be made out to PBA Post 166 Disaster Relief Fund and sent to P.O. Box 45, Monmouth Jct., N.J. 08852.
   — The student council at Brunswick Acres School is collecting money that will be passed on to Wawa, which will in turn match the students’ donations and submit the money to relief efforts.
   — From 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 29, the Little Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary will hold a spaghetti dinner at the fire house, 4348 Route 27.
   The cost is $7.50 for adults and $3.50 for children under 10. All proceeds will go to the Widows and Children Fund for families of firefighters who were lost in the World Trade Center attack. The price includes salad, spaghetti, sauce, meatballs, bread, dessert and a beverage.
   — The South Brunswick Community Blood Bank is holding a donor drive Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the South Brunswick Community Center at Woodlot Park. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, call (732) 297-2198.
   The Red Cross also recommends calling 800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule appointments in the surrounding area.
   By no means are these the only relief efforts taking place in South Brunswick. If your organization has another program or is collecting relief funds, please contact the South Brunswick Post by phone at (732) 329-9214; by mail at P.O. Box 309, Dayton, N.J. 08810; by e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected] or by fax at (732) 329-8291.
   We need to do whatever we can to help.