A terrorist attacks relief rally planned for later this month in Lawrence County will now embrace the war effort, too, organizers said this morning.

Monday, October 08, 2001

A terrorist attacks relief rally planned for later this month in Lawrence County will now embrace the war effort, too, organizers said this morning.

"We want our men and women going overseas to fight to know that we do care, that we support them," said Doug Clark, director of the Lawrence County Fair Board.

The fair board-sponsored Oct. 20 "freedom rally," as yet unnamed officially, will raise money for anyone involved – not only in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 tragedies but also in the Afghan campaign by U.S. and British forces, Clark said.

"I want to see, in some way, somehow, every man and woman over there benefit from it," Clark said.

The rally, to be held at the fairgrounds, will bring together Tri-State residents to give donations for causes that benefit everything from terrorist attack survivors to America’s new war on terrorism, he said.

Plans began a week or more ago, with the idea to involve local singing groups, the VFW and volunteer fire departments, the county emergency management agency, the Ohio National Guard, maybe armed services recruiters, and any other group who wants to participate.

The American Red Cross already has funds, and bloodmobiles, set up for victims of the terrorist attacks, Clark said.

Funds for war relief, whether run by the Red Cross or other agencies, will likely come about this week, now that attacks have started, he said.

Donations from the rally will be given to the Red Cross or other such national agencies with the power to help, Clark said.

Hopefully, a local bank will donate time and effort to count donations on Oct. 20, he added.

So far, a motorcycle poker run and one singing group are in the planning stages, but "we would like to see agencies, more bands, maybe the bloodmobile set up," Clark said.

The rally will be held noon to 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds. A phone number for those interested in participating or helping will be established soon.

"We haven’t got all the planning done, but we will have a rally," Clark said.

Meanwhile, to indicate your interest, you may leave a message at The Ironton Tribune. Call 740-532-1445, and press 25 when asked to enter an extension number. Then, leave a message on the voice mail.