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Updated September 12, 2001, 4:23 p.m. ET

Americans offer blood, help, prayers to victims

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Across the nation, Americans stood in line for hours to donate blood for terrorist attack victims, while doctors and rescue workers volunteered their help and many people offered prayers.

Reaction to the tragedies Tuesday ranged from shock and disbelief to anger, but there was a shared desire to lend assistance. Many literally rolled up their sleeves.

"I needed to do something, so that's why I'm here," said Steve Forslund, waiting to donate blood in Springfield, Mass. "I was too angry to just sit there and watch TV."

At a mobile blood bank in Tampa, Fla., a line of more than 750 people snaked through a parking lot. In Denver the wait to give blood was six hours. In Phoenix, at least 400 people were turned away because there were too many for personnel to handle.

In Riverside, Calif., the Morongo Band of Mission Indians donated $25,000 to help the Red Cross fly a disaster team to New York.

Roberta Toecker, who has been with the Red Cross in Nashville for 13 years, said she had never seen such a response in her city, even when a tornado struck in 1998.

"This is just so shattering," she said.

Emergency personnel from coast to coast planned to join the relief effort, including 70 Phoenix firefighters and 65 members of a search-and-rescue team from the Seattle area.

The American Medical Association began compiling a list of doctors willing to volunteer. Some hospitals canceled elective surgeries to conserve medical supplies.

Shipments of blood from around the country were expected to begin arriving early Wednesday in New York, mostly by truck. A flight to transport blood from Denver early Wednesday received special clearance.

Musicians and artists in the Phoenix area organized a benefit performance with proceeds going to victim relief. Actor Robin Williams was among hundreds giving blood in San Francisco.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush suggested a gesture of unity.

"If you have an American flag, fly it," Bush said.

Many churches held special services. More than 100 people gathered in Spokane's Riverfront Park for a noon prayer meeting that began with "Amazing Grace." Another 100 people showed up at a Seattle park to sing peace anthems. A noon Mass in Seattle attracted 1,200 worshippers, more than 10 times the norm.

Jimmy Nurre, 13, was among those at a service in Albuquerque, N.M.

"This is really devastating," he said. "I'm glad I got to come to Mass again. It really helps calm you."

Gov. Rick Perry told University of Texas students at a candlelight vigil beneath the darkened university tower there was a great need for blood, plasma, clothes and money to help the thousands of victims.

"It's a time to show our colors, to show our strengths, to show what holds us together as a nation," Perry said.

Hours earlier in downtown Dallas, hundreds of people lined up at Reunion Arena to donate blood. The scene was repeated in other Texas cities.

"We have had hundreds of people come to our headquarters today," said Robin Davidson, public relations manager for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston. "The wait is two and three hours long."

Those in the shadow of the World Trade Center disaster proved wrong the stereotypes about uncaring New Yorkers. Thousands lined up outside blood banks. People helped the elderly make their way out of buildings, and offered water to strangers with dust in their throats.

Ferry boats that carry commuters between Manhattan and New Jersey became rescue vessels for hundreds. After they crossed the Hudson River to Jersey City, volunteers greeted them with food and water.

When a hotel near the ferry landing filled up, a luxury apartment complex across the street opened its doors, offering something to eat or a place to stay.

On the other side of the country, at Galloping Gerties restaurant near Fort Lewis, Wash., business was down and faces were solemn as customers and waitresses watched developments on TV. Owner Rod Mason gave free coffee to all soldiers in uniform.

"I don't know what else we can do," he said. "I think we feel like the rest of America, just helpless."