VERONICA YANKOWSKI Heather Zaccaro, 8, paints a pumpkin at the Fair Haven Harvest Fest on Saturday.
This weekend Red Bank is going to be the site of the latest big event to raise money in support of those who suffered losses in the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11.
No question the cause is a worthy one, and those who attend that benefit and otherwise contribute to the Alliance of Neighbors of Monmouth County Inc., which put it together, may be even more gratified to know that their contribution will benefit the people of our area.
It should be noted though that as this benefit and the many others like it raise stunning sums for the WTC victims’ families, other charities are already being affected by a significant drop in support.
Indeed, even this week’s shows at the Count Basie Theatre were originally slated as a benefit for World Hunger Year.
Undoubtedly that worthwhile organization still needs the kind of support it would have gotten before the events of Sept. 11.
Sadly, this is going to be a tough season for charities large and small. Even without a drop in contributions related to people shifting their patterns of charitable support, things would have been difficult because of the slowing economy.
There is no question that the victims and families of the World Trade Center attack deserve the support of the community, but they are not alone in deserving it and certainly not alone in needing it.