Red Cross workers, volunteers await instructions to lend a hand

There are numerous opportunities to give blood this week.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Area Red Cross officials and volunteers are on standby, waiting for instructions from the National Red Cross, which is coordinating support for the affected areas.
The Red Cross has established a telephone number, (877) 733-2767, that people searching for relatives in the affected areas may call.
Financial help: People who want to donate money to assist victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks should make checks payable to the American Red Cross and send them to any Red Cross office and designate the money for terrorist attack relief.
In Mahoning County, the address is American Red Cross Mahoning Chapter, 8392 Tod Ave., Boardman 44512. In Trumbull County, it is the American Red Cross Warren Chapter, 661 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren 44483.
There have been calls for the donation of blood to aid the injured, and Central Blood Bank of Pittsburgh said it is preparing for the demand and has opened numerous community donor centers today, including its location at UPMC Horizon in Greenville from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and United Community Hospital in Grove City from noon to 7 p.m.
Besides the emergency management and government sectors, the American Red Cross was also gearing up to help the victims, sending 140 pints of blood from its Greater Alleghenies Region that covers this area to the Penn-Jersey Region for possible use in New York City.
Because of an anticipated high donor turnout, the Red Cross moved today's New Castle blood drive from Trinity Episcopal Church to St. Mary's Parish Center, 117 N. Beaver St. The drive will be from noon to 6 p.m.
Sites: For people who want to donate blood, here is this week's schedule of blood drives in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Also, people can call (800) GIVE LIFE for blood drive information.
UWednesday: St. Robert Catholic Church, 4659 Niles-Cortland Road, Cortland, noon to 6 p.m.
U Thursday: Forum Health Northside Medical Center, 500 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; WCI Steel Inc., 1040 Pine Ave. S.E., Warren, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; YMCA Trumbull County, 210 High St. N.W., Warren, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
U Friday: American Red Cross Austintown Donor Center, 57 Westchester Drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments preferred, call (800) GIVE LIFE to schedule; St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 2860 E. Market St., Warren, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
U Saturday: American Red Cross Austintown Donor Center, 57 Westchester Drive, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments preferred; YSU Metro College, 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
UFriday and Sunday: The Mercer County Chapter of the American Red Cross is conducting an emergency blood drive for those injured in Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C. Donors can visit Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 3325 Morefield Road, Hermitage, between noon and 6 p.m. Thursday or Sharon High School at 1129 E. State St. between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. Donors must be at least 17, weigh at least 105 pounds and be in general good health.