It's not over yet - How to keep helping

[southernbelle]

Tragically, it appears that blood donations will not help as much as we first thought. But, we can still help. One of the goals of the terrorist's on Tuesday was to seriously damage the financial system of this country. And in fact, our markets will be closed until Monday - the longest shut down since World War I. And there is concern that the tragedy will push the country into a serious recession. Why not make a show of confidence in our country and our economy by purchasing American stocks on Monday? It doesn't have to be a large amount - even one share - if we all did it would have an impact. Let's not let these terrorists have their way.

Also, if you haven't yet, please consider giving money to the Red Cross. Many corporations are providing matching funds - check with your employer.

For U.S. Contributions:

American Red Cross
P.O. Box 97089
Washington, DC 20090-7089

For check donations: Please make payable to the American Red Cross. Designate World Trade Center-Pentagon Relief Fund in the lower left-hand corner of your check.

For telephone donations in the U.S., call 1-800-HELP-NOW (800-435-7669).

For International Contributions:

International Committee of the Red Cross
19, avenue de la Paix
CH - 1202 Geneva
Switzerland

Please designate the donation to the American Red Cross/World Trade Center-Pentagon Relief Fund in the lower left-hand corner of your check.

Also, the folks at Amazon have made it really easy to contribute at:

Amazon Red Cross (http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/paypage/PKAXFNQH7EKCX/107-1659849-7855769)

Finally, book a flight with a US carrier. This shutdown is forcing already pressured companies to take drastic measures - Continental has laid off 12,000 today, and may go bankrupt within a month unless they get help. I have no great love for Continental, or airlines, for that matter - but I am deeply concerned that these *&(!^!($ may cause even more economic upset. Airports and airines are taking extraordinary security measures - we must show them they can't take that away, too.

My prayers and thoughts are with those affected - God bless America!

[TheLoneGunman]

Uhm, the economy has already been seriously damaged before NYC.

If you are feeling generous, I would appreciate someone helping me with this month's rent as I am not sure if I can pay it (see previous thread about check being in WTC at Morgan Stanley)

Not that I'm begging or that it is related to this issue, but I just thought I would ask.

[Butch]

I don't think you need to go out and purchase stock on Monday. The main issue is if you were planning on making a purchase of ANYTHING . . . go out and do it. Do not let this incident change your spending habits. If you were planning on buying a car, go buy the car. If you were planning on buying a new stereo, go out and get it. The SEC has already eased restrictions on companies purchasing their own stock, so they will be able to maintain their stock price. Although it also wouldn't hurt if you held your stock holdings and did not sell in a panic.

Basically, it will be best for the economy if you do not let this incident change your financial decisions.