President Bush today praised charities and volunteers for their disaster-relief efforts in the regions harmed by the September 11 terrorist attacks, and said charitable organizations are being inundated with donations.
"It's important to realize that at this time, many of our charities are overwhelmed by the public response," the president said during a speech in the White House Rose Garden. "That's the kind of problem we like in America."
He urged Americans to continue giving, but to be patient with the charities' ability to absorb the donations, especially of blood and noncash gifts such as clothing and food.
President Bush encouraged Americans to use the Internet to donate money to disaster-aid organizations, saying that $55-million had been raised since the attacks through Web sites. He urged donors to give money to relief groups through LibertyUnites.org, a Web site set up by a new coalition known as the American Liberty Partnership to increase online donations. Amazon.com, America Online, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, and other technology and Internet companies built the site in response to the terrorist attacks.
Representatives of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, and other national and local nonprofit groups helping victims and their families affected by the incidents in New York, Northern Virginia, and Pennsylvania were in the audience for the president's speech.
Links to more information about the philanthropic response to the terrorist attacks are available.