ERIC M. JUKELEVICS

Neil McSweeney, a technical services manager, and Sylvia Ramirez, an administrative assistant, move boxes of donated goods into a truck outside Flandrau Science Center yesterday afternoon. Flandrau works in conjunction with World Care, a non-profit organization, to provide supplies to rescue workers in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Friday September 21, 2001

Students, community urged to donate supplies

Flandrau Science Center is working in conjunction with a non-profit organization to provide flashlights, toiletries and other much needed supplies to rescue workers in New York City and Washington, D.C.

World Care is a local group that provides support to those in need through its "Tools 4 Emergency Relief" program. Lisa Hopper, president of World Care, said she chose Flandrau as a temporary drop-off site for the program because of its central location.

Mary Cox, director of development and marketing for Flandrau, said the science center, 1601 E. University Blvd., is easily accessible for students and other community members wishing to donate.

Cox said donations have been generous so far. She said students without money or supplies to donate can still find alternative methods of helping.

"We know students don't have a lot of money," she said, "but there are all kinds of ways to help."

Cox said students can choose to assist in the disaster-relief effort through volunteer work.

"We are very much in need of volunteers," she said. Volunteers at Flandrau work two-hour shifts, collecting donations at the drop-off site.

"This is what outreach is all about," said Alexis Faust, executive director of Flandrau. "I think we have seen that this type of tragedy redefines what we mean by 'community' and that our community extends all the way to the East Coast."

Work gloves, batteries and medical supplies such as bandages and tape are among the most-needed supplies. Cox asked that those donating toiletries try to provide "travel-size" products.

"We need it all," she said. "100 percent of what is collected will go to those in need."

Cox also said all donations are, "tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law."

Although the chance of relief efforts being overwhelmed by donations is small, in the unlikely event of excess supplies, World Care plans to donate the goods to victims of other disasters.

"They assist people worldwide," she said. "People can be really confident that what they give will be used somehow."

Both Faust and Cox said Flandrau being chosen as a drop-off site is an honor.

"We are grateful to be able to help World Care in their efforts to provide aid for the relief workers in New York and Washington D.C.," Faust said.

"We're going to be doing this for as long as it's needed," Cox added.

Donations will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays for at least the next four weeks. For more information, call Flandrau Science Center at 621-STAR or visit the World Care website at www.worldcare.org.