Cross-Cultural Solutions: international volunteer programs around the world

So Many Want to Help, There's a Waiting List

"It is just incredible. Everyone wants to do something. Everyone wants to get involved," said Steven Rosenthal, executive director of Cross-Cultural Solutions, which is based in New Rochelle. "I have seen far more good things come out of this than bad."

The nonprofit group has been providing volunteers to serve food to rescue workers aboard the Spirit of New York, a cruise ship that until yesterday was docked near the disaster site to function as a feeding station and respite center. The waiting list of those willing to help is about 900, and Rosenthal said more people were not needed now.

Paula Reid, a Larchmont resident whose husband is the board chairman of Cross-Cultural Solutions, has been fielding calls at the organization's office. She said there was no problem filling shifts around the clock. "A lot of people would work the overnight shifts from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. and then go to work the next day, because they really wanted to do something," she said. "They were willing to give up a night of sleep."

Reid filled a 3 p.m. to midnight shift on the ship doling out beef stew and pasta to workers.

"The thing that struck me the most was how much the volunteers wanted to be there, myself included," she said. "It took away my sense of helplessness. It made me feel I was doing something."