The following is a note we received from an AuctionBytes reader, who wanted us to know what an important role the Salvation Army is playing in the New York City Disaster Relief efforts:

"Tonight I have spoken with a friend who was at ground zero at The World Trade Center and just returned to his family tonight. My friend is a New Jersey State Trooper. He was on one of the search teams looking for survivors.

He has served in Vietnam and has seen many atrocities in his life. He told me that this was the worst thing he has ever seen. But, he also saw more love exhibited at this site than he has ever seen in his life. He couldn't speak highly enough of the men and women who volunteered not only to search, but to feed, cloth (these people have to throw their clothes out after a shift because of contamination), and to provide help in every area that you can think of.

The one thing he said was that the Salvation Army was one of the first organizations there, and they immediately had food on hand for these men who were working 18 hour shifts. I personally haven't heard a word about the good being done by the Salvation Army either on TV, the Net, or the radio. These people are truly one of the most honest organizations functioning today. I have known for years that the Salvation Army does a great job without tooting there own horn. Everyone is being told to give to the Red Cross or the United Way. I for one am giving to the Salvation Army, as I know that they are there and have been told by my friend that they are taking care of these people.

Please pass this on to others, so that we may help an organization that is out there doing the job without getting any credit. They do it for the love, not the glory.

Ray"