The Sept. 11 World Trade Center disaster may have brought out the best in Americans, but some charities want to make sure that clients who were in need of help before the tragedy are not forgotten.
So far it is estimated that more than $900 million has been raised collectively by local and national funds to help the people affected by last month’s terrorist attack. Groups like the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund, WTC Police Disaster Fund, World Trade Center Miracles Foundation, Windows of Hope, Canadians Care, America: A Tribute to Heroes, the Twin Towers Fund, the American Red Cross Sept. 11 Fund, Fireman’s Fund, and New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund are among a list of more than 50 organizations raising money for disaster relief. Locally, the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue squad has raised more than $450,000 from residents donating to their drive.
And Thursday night, President George W. Bush made a speech asking each child in America to send $1 to the White House to help starving children in Afghanistan.
But what about hungry children in New Jersey?
A few local charities say they don’t want to be forgotten this year in the wake of the attack on America. Some of them said they have already noticed a drop-off in donations.
"We feel bad about what happened in New York, of course," said United Way of Hudson County President Dan Altilio during a phone interview last week. "This year we won’t have nearly enough of what we usually bring in."
Hudson County’s United Way raises an average of more than $1 million a year to distribute to other non-profit groups like the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, the Girl Scouts, and senior citizens’ organizations. But this year, some campaigns have been canceled, and the people are focusing on the events on the other side of the Hudson River instead.
The United Way has opened a Sept. 11 fund that has raised nearly $300 million from pledges throughout the country. In addition, Altilio’s office has raised several thousand dollars, but their fund drives for other groups are being overlooked, he said.
The Community Food Bank of New Jersey, which distributes 18 million pounds of food and other groceries a year to Garden State residents in need, was very active during the first couple of weeks of the WTC event, but now it has seen a decline in financial support from its usual contributors, according to spokeswoman Meara Nigro.
The Food Bank helps 72 charitable programs in Hudson County alone.
"We’re doing the best to help people," Nigro said. "The layoffs following the Sept. 11 attacks have shocked the economy with their suddenness and severity. Many families are turning to emergency food pantries to help see them through these difficult times."
During the recent decline in financial support, Nigro has noticed an increased demand for the food bank’s services. She worries that her 26-year-old organization, which helps private non-profit groups where hungry people turn for help, may find itself incapable of reaching out to community shelters that have depended on them.
"We’re helping, but we need to see a rise in funding soon," Nigro said.
One of those programs is the Hoboken Homeless Shelter on Bloomfield Street. Executive Director Norberta Hunnewinkel said she hopes people won’t forget about the shelter come holiday season, although she said it is too early right now to determine the effect of the tragedy.
"I want the World Trade Center families to have support, but that doesn’t mean people should stop helping us," Hunnewinkel said.
The shelter has a new look with a completely renovated building and facilities with the help of state grants, and Hunnewinkel is hosting a rededication ceremony Oct. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter.
Like the United Way of Hudson County and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the March of Dimes’ office in Northern New Jersey is finding itself with financial concerns.
For more than two decades, the office has raised an average of $2 million a year to improve the lives of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. This year they expect to fall short of their average, according to public affairs director Margot Spidle.
"It has been a challenge. Not a lot of people have been donating as they used to," Spidle said. "I can bet other non-profit groups are concerned as well."
More than 8,000 babies have been born in New Jersey since the attack in New York City.
On Oct. 15, the March of Dimes is hosting "Star Chefs on the Hudson," a fundraiser in Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken. For the past three years, the event has raised approximately $60,000 each year, but Spidle is not so sure they will reach their goal this time.
"The March of Dimes joins people the world over in mourning the terrible loss of lives and suffering wrought by the Sept. 11 attacks," Spidle said. "However, no matter what is going on, every day babies are born with birth defects."
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, the American Breast Cancer Society is conducting a series of fundraisers for breast cancer research. On Oct. 14, participants will gather at Military Park in Newark for a five-kilometer non-competitive walk. The proceeds will benefit the society, but spokesman Lernard Freeman said people have not been donating like they’ve done in the past.
"People may not come out to the events and support the fundraisers," Freeman said. "They’ve donated so much to World Trade Center funds, but we need funding too."
One local group that has seen a rise in donations is the local Salvation Army headquarters on Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. That group has been collecting money and needed items for those affected by the tragedy and those involved in rescue efforts.
Salvation Army captain Sebastian Leonardi has been with the Jersey City chapter for a couple of years and is overwhelmed with the recent financial support from the community.
"We have received contributions from people trying to help," Leonardi said. "We are helping financially and providing counseling and bringing food."
Leonardi would not discuss the amount of money raised each year by his branch, nor how much money people have donated for its Sept. 11 Fund.
Important Numbers
The following are telephone numbers of organizations accepting donations, either for World Trade Center relief or for people who are generally needy around the state:
- The American Red Cross in Hudson County: 433-3100
- The Community Food Bank of New Jersey: (908) 355-3663
- The American Breast Cancer Society: (800) ACS-2345
- The Hoboken Homeless Shelter: 656-5069
- Jersey City Office of Emergency Management: 547-5681
- Catholic Community Services: 866-3208
- The March of Dimes: (973) 882-0700
- The United Way of Hudson County: 434-2655
The Salvation Army: 435-7355.
"Our motive is good. We want to help the families of those affected," said Mitch Morrison, founder of the World Trade Center Miracles Foundation.
Morrison would not go into detail about the money he has raised for the victims. He sees his foundation as a one of the premier groups helping the cause.
"People want to help. With the money raised we will start foundations for the families," Morrison said.
World Trade Center Police Disaster Relief Fund President Frank Ferreyra said the foundation was formed last month to offer assistance to the police officers involved in the attack.
"The morning of Sept. 11 will live on in the hearts and minds of every American forever," Ferreyra said. "We need your help."