Agencies, schools collect supplies for N.Y. relief effort

Red Cross still in need of blood donations

By Rose Hooper, Carey Phillips and Lisa Majors-Duff

Agencies, individuals and civic groups throughout Jackson County share Clark's sentiment as they continue to organize efforts to collect everything from money to blankets to blood to send to New York. These supplies, they hope, will aid emergency service personnel working around the clock to find survivors in the rubble of "Ground Zero," those injured in the attack and those who lost loved ones.

"We wanted to bring all the people together - to share and to talk about their feelings in wake of this tragedy," said Glenville-Cashiers Fire Chief Randy Dillard about this weekend's joint emergency services effort to collect money and supplies in Sylva and Cashiers.

About 40 EMS workers, officers from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and Sylva Police Department, fire and rescue personnel and their families gathered at the Cashiers Crossroads and the Sylva Wal-Mart Supercenter to collect from those who wanted to give.

"We felt the need to do something to help our counterparts in Washington, D.C., and New York, so from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday we collected money at the Crossroads. In four hours time, we raised $16,600," said Dillard, adding that an Emergency Relief Fund has been opened at Centura Bank in Cashiers to aid families of the fire and rescue members killed Sept. 11.

Some $15,713 was raised Sunday in Sylva, for a total emergency service effort of more than $31,000, said Sylva Mayor Brenda Oliver.

First Union/Wachovia has also set up a special fund to receive contributions for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. Donations to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund may be made at Wachovia and First Union branch banks, said Rick Kirkpatrick, manager of the Sylva Wachovia branch.

"In response to community and employee requests, First Union/Wachovia has opened an account to aid disaster relief," said Kirkpatrick. "We encourage both our employees and members of the community to contribute in any way possible."

Other public school relief efforts include a drive at Smoky Mountain High to collect $10,000 and Fairview students' collection of emergency supplies to be donated to Hearts with Hands in Asheville and "Love Links" sponsored by the Student Council to raise 5 cents for each paper chain link. Also, donations for the American Red Cross are being collected at Smokey Mountain Elementary, including an opportunity for donations to be taken during the school's annual fall festival this Friday night.

Cullowhee Valley School officials are collecting money and supplies, also to go to Hearts with Hands in Asheville. New Century Scholars are helping with the younger grades and sorting items collected. Blue Ridge students have sent email condolences to the three schools in New York that lost teachers and students; the art department is making patriotic lapel pins for faculty and staff; and school representatives will be sent to Sylva's March for American Unity Saturday at 7 p.m. (See story page 1A.)

Passing the hat at last week's Sylva Rotary Club meeting netted $1,300 for the relief effort, according to Sylva Herald Publisher and Rotary member Jim Gray.

Bryan Cooke, District I chairman of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, presented Donna DePew of the American Red Cross with a $1,000 check, funds which were collected by SEANC members from Jackson, Swain, Graham, Macon, Clay and Cherokee counties.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina has established "The September 11th Fund" to help victims of terrorist attacks. All contributions to this local fund will be forwarded to the original September 11th Fund created by the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust Fund. Anyone wishing to contribute locally should make checks to "CFWNC-September 11th Fund" and mail them to Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, P.O. Box 1888, Asheville, N.C. 28802.

In addition to various collection efforts, others throughout the county are taking time to organize vigils as a way of honoring the thousands who lost their lives in at the hands of terrorist in New York, Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania. Kim Foxworth and Tish Shuler of Sylva organized a candlelight vigil last Thursday night on the steps of the Jackson County Courthouse. The women said they felt the need to do something to show support for the victims and rescue workers. The crowd recited the 23rd Psalm and the Pledge of Allegiance and sang "God Bless America" and "Amazing Grace."

On Sunday morning, Sept. 16, John Dewlea organized a peace gathering at the those same steps.

"Peace begins with each one of us," Dewlea said, encouraging the group to shake hands and become acquainted. "Whatever our diversity, if we understand each other, we have a better chance for peace."

The Cope Creek Gang provided music for the 9 a.m. gathering.

The Western Carolina University community paused last Thursday for a gathering of remembrance and reflection for the victims of terrorist attacks. Classes were canceled to give students an opportunity to attend the event.

Speakers at the gathering included Western Chancellor John Bardo; Bernie Dougherty, adjunct professor of criminal justice and former assistant director of the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service; June Wytock of the Counseling and Psychological Services Center; and a representative of United Campus Ministry. A time for dialogue and discussion with speakers was included at the end of the event, which was attended by about 1,000 WCU students.

WestCare Health System officials planned to erect a new flag pole during a 1 p.m. ceremony Wednesday at Harris Regional Hospital. A memorial wreath will be placed at the site to honor the dead.

The Jackson County Branch of the American Red Cross has scheduled three additional blood drives for September, starting this Friday, Sept. 21, at Wal-Mart from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Harrah's Cherokee Casino will host an around-the-clock drive starting at midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 25, and running until 5:30 a.m.

A third session will get under way at 12:30 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m., with the final session scheduled from 5:30-10 p.m. The Sylva ARC office will host a drive scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 27, from 4-7 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the ARC office in Sylva at 586-2019.

"We had such an enormous response to last Friday's (Sept. 14) blood drive at the Community Services Center," said DePew, specialist with Jackson County Branch of the Asheville Mountain Area ARC. "We had over 150 calls and took 100 appointments. Those who couldn't come still wanted to help so we asked them to donate snacks or money.

"Blood has a limited shelf life and supplies continue to be needed so we hope people will keep up this great volunteer effort," she said.

The Sylva Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff's Department joined forces to give out red, white and blue ribbons to be tied to car radio antennas and to be worn as lapel pins.

"The Sheriff and I just wanted to do something in honor and remembrance of our fellow Americans who lost their lives," Police Chief Jeff Jamison said.

Sheriff Jim Cruzan said 3,000 ribbons have been distributed by the two departments.

Back to Archive: 09/20/01.