Sep 19, 2001

Day 9 - Tzu Chi USA News Update
Reported on 9/19/01 6:00 p.m. EST

New York / New Jersey

1.	At 8:30AM Eastern Standard Time, Tzu Chi volunteers concluded the discussions with the head of NYC Family Assistance Center. A Tzu Chi help booth was set up at the center's Financial Support Station. This booth is to be manned by four volunteers, who are prepared to be there throughout the operating hours of the Family Assistance Center from 8AM to midnight and offer our compassion and assistance to the disaster victims.
2.	Tzu Chi has begun accepting special care cases referred to us by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. By 2PM EST today, twenty cases have been attended to, which included deceased victims, wounded casualties, and other involved parties around the World Trade Center. Specific details will be reported later.
3.	Today, the volunteers continued to visit the Emotional Counseling Center, providing Buddhist prayer beads, Tzu Chi overview materials, and supportive services. There were also volunteers who joined in on food distribution efforts and translation tasks.

Source: Tzu Chi USA Main Office