Community comes together

Bloomington residents plan to come together at the southeast section of the Monroe County Courthouse lawn at 7 p.m. Thursday evening for healing after last week's terrorist attacks in, "A Community Gathering for Remembrance and Unity."\n"We are inviting the entire community to join with us in reaffirming American civic values," said Jeffrey Isaac, a Rudy professor of political science and member of Bloomington United, in a press release. "In recent years, our local community has responded to adversity by coming together."\nThe program will include remarks by local citizens, music by area performers and a candle lighting ceremony. \nAmong others, Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez and Fire Chief Jeff Barlow will speak.\nOrganizers tout the gathering as an opportunity for local residents to join together to remember the victims of the Sept. 11 national tragedy. It is also intended to reject acts of prejudice and stereotyping.\n"Last week's tragedy has tested the mettle of the entire community," Isaac said in the release. "However, we believe that by coming together as a community, respectful of the rule of law and of the social, racial, ethnic and political pluralism that is at the heart of what is best in our country, we can empower ourselves to face the difficult times ahead, and rededicate ourselves to the freedoms that make our country great."\nUnited Way, one of the event's sponsors, scheduled its own event at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Ave. It is holding a "facilitated community discussion," intended to help local residents locate assistance in the aftermath of last week's terrorist attacks.\n"This tragedy has a major impact on everyone in this community," said Beverly Calender-Anderson, the agency's community service council director. "We hope to bring people together to talk about it."\nMental health professionals, clergy and local government officials will be on hand to provide information and share resources. The event is free of charge and open to all who are interested.\nMeanwhile, College Mall and the local Salvation Army are collaborating to raise funds to aid relief efforts in New York and Washington.\nFrom 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, WCGL radio is conducting "Drive Up and Drop Off" cash donation collections in the College Mall parking lot. All proceeds benefit American Red Cross and Salvation Army relief efforts. \n"We're trying to afford an opportunity for people who might not be otherwise able to give," said Karen Boehnlein, a Simon Property Group spokesman. \nInterested persons can stop by the WGCL station van parked at the College Mall entrance on College Mall Road near Fazoli's. Organizers hope to raise $3,000 by the end of the day.