From hands and hearts large and small, young and old, come concern, compassion and offers of help for those affected by the terrorist attacks that hit our country on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001.

None of us was left untouched by the tragedies in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania that took thousands of innocent lives and left thousands of grieving survivors not only in our state and nation, but throughout our world.

It matters not where you live or how old you are.

You want to respond, to contribute and to help.

And to do that, you will, somehow, find a way.

For example, take the efforts of the 205 youngsters who attend Katahdin Elementary School in Sherman Station.

Although they live in the far northern reaches of Maine, in an area struggling economically, they were acutely aware of what happened on that fateful day, and they were determined to do their best to help those whose lives have been forever changed by it.

According to fourth-grade teacher Deborah Coolong, the pupils “sang patriotic songs, waved the flag and wore red, white and blue” to show their support for their country and its citizens after the attacks.

They talked about “the heroic rescue efforts, about thousands of people giving blood, about programs being set up to help victims’ families,” she wrote.

“They saw television footage of ordinary citizens, like themselves and their families, helping out any way they could.”

Principal Greg Cole said Coolong came up with a suggestion he and his staff supported, that the youngsters bring in whatever money they could to be sent to the American Red Cross.

Cole said the initial thought was the pupils might raise $500, and that would be fine.

“We just asked them to take the message home to parents to bring in what you can; pennies, nickels, dimes or quarters,” he said.

But that is not what happened. The kids did so much more.

Two little girls collected $100 going door-to-door. Two young cousins organized a bottle drive.

And when the children came to school the following Monday, they brought their money in jars, piggy banks, jewelry boxes, treasure chests, penny roll, envelopes and even “in linty pockets, from mom and dad’s checkbook, from grandparents and aunts and uncles,” Coolong wrote.

One kindergarten pupil, presenting her money jar to her teacher, said it was for the “Red Graves.”

From Sept. 14 to 21 the money came in, with Cole announcing the total, each day, to the cheers of the pupils. At an assembly on Friday, Sept. 21, the total was announced: $2,010.

“It was just amazing,” Cole said. “It just shows the type of people who live here. We’re a small Maine town that has not changed.”

He said people whose children attend Katahdin Elementary School “still feel the sense that is it important to help one another. There are some real deep roots and value systems here.”

The day of the assembly, the check from the pupils of Katahdin Elementary School was in the mail to the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross in Bangor.

A very moved Pat Walsh, PTC director of health, safety and community services, said their donation will become part of “The Liberty Fund, which will support the immediate and emerging efforts of the American Red Cross to alleviate human suffering brought on by the attacks of September 11.”

With more than $5,300 raised thus far, the Hampden Fire Department is still accepting donations for two relief funds to benefit survivors of New York City fire and police departments who died in the terrorist attacks there.

Lt. Frank Coombs reports a car wash on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Hampden Fire Department raised $4,500.

Added to that was a donation of $845 from beano games conducted by the Whitcomb-Baker VFW Post 4633 of Hampden, which has brought the fire department’s total to more than $5,300, he said.

The department will accept donations through Monday, Oct. 1.

“Fifty percent of the money we collect will go to the relief fund set up by the International Association of Firefighters,” Coombs said.

“The other 50 percent will go to the Police Benevolent Association Widows and Orphans Foundation in care of the New York Police Department.”

Direct contributions to those organizations can be made by sending a check to the New York Fire 911 Disaster Relief Fund, IAFF, Attention: General Secretary-Treasurer Office, 1750 New York Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 2006-5395.

The direct address for NYPD donations is PBA Widows and Orphans Foundation, c/o New York Police Department, 1 Police Plaza 14th Floor, N.Y., NY 10038.

The Big Red Redemption Center at 12 Barker St. in Bangor has set up a special account to help victims of the World Trade Center attacks.

Returnables taken to Big Red can be earmarked for its September 11 Fund.

The fund created by the United Way and the New York Community Trust is accepting donations from across the country to distribute to those affected by the terrorist attacks.

Big Red Redemption Center, a program of Community Health and Counseling Services, typically collects returnables during the United Way of Eastern Maine annual campaign kickoff which, this year became a community response rally.

This year, however, Big Red team leader Eric Mushlit suggested Big Red set up a special account to provide a way for others to help the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy.

Returnables to benefit the September 11 Fund can be left at Big Red 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8 a.m-2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information about the September 11 Fund at Big Red, call 990-2267.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.