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3:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 3, 2001

The blockades returned yesterday without explanation. Along with them, more smoke and stench returned, as well. Internet service ceased for more than a day, and telephone service remains aggravatingly inconsistent. Still, the overall mood is very slowly improving, as greater numbers of people learn to ignore the devastation surrounding them, at least during waking hours.

My goal this week was to finally volunteer at a disaster relief center. As I prepared to attempt once again to help, a different kind of disaster relief effort surfaced. In the wake of the destruction, hundreds of companies lost employees and offices; others, more distant geographically, lost clients and funding. One affected company recently laid off an entire team of workers, with minimal notice, little compensation, and no outplacement assistance. In an effort to help, I volunteered to prepare resumes and cover letters for the team. They gratefully accepted the offer, and I have been making every effort to assist. At a time like this, every skill proves valuable.

It occurs to me that friends and readers from all of the country have expressed their desire to help, and similarly, their frustration at being unable to from a distance. This tragedy affects people all over the country -- businesses have been displaced or have (permanently or temporarily) lost employees whose skills must be replaced; victims' families need comforting, no matter where in the world they live; people who have been unable to travel have lost income; those who now lack computer access, Internet service, or telephone service needs loaners. It is possible for people outside of the city to be creative, take the initiative, and seek opportunities to help, even in their own neighborhoods.

And if we all are in a helpful mood, why must we stop at those directly affected by the tragedy? Every day, there are charities, organizations, and individuals who rely on our caring and dedicated service. We can choose the illness, injury, gender, age, species, or affiliation to which we care to contribute our time and efforts. We can bolster the disaster relief effort by strengthening our country, improving its resources, and refining our own skills in the process. And we need not be on the front lines, or know anyone who perished, or even have ever seen the Twin Towers. We only need to have the desire to help, the capacity to care, and the strength to follow through.

Do you have a charity or organization whose work you find worthwhile? Send me the name, a brief description, and the URL of an organization to which individuals can donate time and effort, and I may provide a link to it from my web page. Thank you!