Americans respond to terrorist attacks by offering to help others

WASHINGTON (AP) _ From campuses to civic organizations and government programs such as the Peace Corps, a surge of volunteers is responding to last year's terrorist attacks and President Bush's

Friday, September 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ From campuses to civic organizations and government programs such as the Peace Corps, a surge of volunteers is responding to last year's terrorist attacks and President Bush's call for Americans to donate two years of their time to community service.

``There's just a renewed sense of patriotism,'' Brian Austin, assistant national service director for Disabled American Veterans, said Thursday. His organization has found more volunteers at Veterans Administration hospitals.

Sept. 11-17 has been designated National Civic Participation Week, with a nonprofit group, Participate America, established to coordinate civic activities.

On the grounds of the Washington Monument this week, near tables offering opportunities to help the blind, register to vote and do community service projects, lay a 91 foot by 48 foot American flag, comprised of more than 350 red, white and blue panels decorated by George Washington University students. The ``Freedom Quilt'' was proposed by two students, Ari Mittleman of Allentown, Pa., and Taryn Schaberg of Tampa, Fla., as a symbol of support for their country.

``So many students are ready to get involved,'' Schaberg said. ``This past year, we've seen so much unity.''

One group, Youth Service America, helped sponsor more than 100 community service events to mark the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

``Young people were saying, 'We feel helpless. What can we do to contribute to the common good of the United States,''' said Robert Bisi, director of outreach for the group, which holds projects for people aged 5 to 25.

More of the Bush administration's service initiatives have focused on enhancing existing organizations such as neighborhood watch and local emergency response teams rather than building new programs on the magnitude of John F. Kennedy's Peace Corps or Bill Clinton's AmeriCorps.

``The role for government is to foster the culture and provide meaningful service opportunities,'' said John Bridgeland, director of USA Freedom Corps, the federal organization set up by the Bush administration to coordinate post-Sept. 11 volunteer efforts.

Local officials say their existing organizations can fit the bill.

``We want to work within the framework of what we've already got,'' said Ann Evans, a program manager with the Montgomery County, Md., Volunteer Center. ``There's no need to reinvent.''

USA Freedom Corps has set up a database to match up volunteers with local organizations. Type in a ZIP code and a list of area organizations pops up. There are 50,000 groups listed, spokeswoman Lindsey Kozberg said.

One of the main elements of the new Citizen Corps, local councils, bring together representatives of existing community groups with local governments and responders such as police and fire departments.

``It's very important that our citizens are prepared for anything that might happen, whether it be a natural disaster or in the event of _ God forbid _ a terrorist attack,'' said Catherine Beahn, project manager of emergency operations for the city of Pittsburgh. ``It's important to keep citizens active in that process.''

The federal government has provided guidelines and money. Kozberg said the administration plans to help fund a medical service corps for doctors, nurses and other health care providers, and a program to help citizens work with local police departments.