September 11th Fund officials call for halt to donations

<br>NEW YORK (AP) _ Officials at The September 11th Fund have called for a halt to additional donations to the charity after collecting $425 million in four months. <br><br>Fund members said on Wednesday

Thursday, January 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Officials at The September 11th Fund have called for a halt to additional donations to the charity after collecting $425 million in four months.

Fund members said on Wednesday that the donations they have received _ combined with money from other groups and the government _ should meet the needs of victims, their families and others affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.

They are encouraging people to redirect their donations to other charities. Groups that required help before the attacks are still facing the same problems and need help, officials said.

``The hungry and the homeless, schoolchildren, the elderly all need our attention,'' said Lorie Slutsky, president of The New York Community Trust. ``And because of the weakening economy and the ripple effects of Sept. 11, those needs are growing.''

The September 11th Fund was created by the Community Trust and the United Way of New York City after the attacks. It has awarded grants totaling more than $160 million to those impacted by the attacks and now wants to concentrate on distributing its remaining money, said Franklin Thomas, chairman of the charity's board.

Much of The September 11th Fund's money came from a telethon featuring Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Billy Joel and others. A total of $112 million was raised via the nationally televised event.