I am just back from a 12-hour overnight shift on Saturday at the respite center at St Paul's chapel, on Broadway and Fulton Streets, at the edge of Ground Zero.

My job this time was to stand at the gate and make sure that only the rescue workers (police, fire, steelworkers, WTC sanitation, etc.) were admitted to the chapel, where they could rest, be fed, find first aid, talk to people, pray, etc. I was there from 8 pm to 8 am.

The crowds passing by were enormous, thinning out a bit after midnight but not much until after 4 am. 4 to 6 was quiet. EVERYONE was in a quiet, reflective mood; many people were weeping. The Chapel maintains walls where people can place flowers, candles, or other tributes, and where there are canvases on which they are encouraged to express themselves in writing. Volunteers are at the walls to talk to them if that's what they want to do.

I am posting this because people have asked in the past how it is, and whether there is a place to go--I didn't know of one before. And also people have worried about how other people would behave there: all the thousands I saw were behaving just as you might hope they would. It continues to be enormously moving.

Thank you, Elizabeth for your post.

Thank you for the report Elizabeth. Keep up the good work. Reports were coming back about crime and looting. God Bless you for your hard work

We were there over Thanksgiving and found it was very somber. There were thousands of people milling about but very quiet. It's amazing how much of the devastation can be seen from Broadway, looking down Fulton. I didn't think we could get that close. It's also very eery to see at night. The sight of it is just too horrible, seeing it on tv is not the same. I just hope people never, ever forget and send support over the course of the next year. The workers will be at it for a long time to come and need all the help and support they can get.

Elizabeth -- are you a member of St. Paul's or did you volunteer with some organization that staffed you at the respite center?

I used to work at WTC and would often go to St. Paul's chapel for some peace and quiet during lunchtimes. I'm glad that it is being put to use by the rescue workers.

Elizabeth, I just visited the site for the first time since Sept. 11. To be honest, it took this long before I felt I could handle it. It certainly brought tears to my eyes. I was taken back by just how many people were there at 9:00 in the morning. My husband and I met people from Austin, TX and Lousiana. I did think it was nice seeing all the people who were here from other states and countries to help out the NYC economy. I didn't witness anyone being disrespectful. I look forward to the day when there is something there in its place. I have faith that there will be an appropriate and moving memorial to all who were lost.

Glad you had that experience Elizabeth I volunteered for the Red Cross just on Thanksgiving they told our group that a number of volunteers from outside NY state were sent home for taking photos or picking up items at ground zero. Glad you had a better experience.

Lisa--I orignally volunteered at St Pauls with the group from a church I belong to. You can go to website for trinitywallstreet.org for information about how to volunteer. (St Pauls is a chapel of Trinity Church.)

You could also ask people you know who belong to churches if they have groups going. St Pauls can't take invidual volunteers, but I have met people who had joined up with church groups they didn't belong to.

The people I've met there aren't all from Episcopal churches, there were Methodists from Connecticut there on Saturday night.

Hi Elizabeth,

I was just there over Thanksgiving myself. I felt compelled to visit the site as many people do. I will say I saw a lot of people taking photo's and vendors selling WTC photo's curb side.

I found this to be disrespectful. I was compelled to say a prayer for all those who were lost and their families and freinds. It was deeply moving and gave me a renewed sense of gratitude for our country.

I had previously donated money, but felt I should donate my own time. I had my best Thanksgiving day to date. I was allowed to serve turkey dinners to seniors in Chelsea.

They were quite gracious and the New Yorkers I met rivaled the reputations of the "Minnesaota Nice" people I live with. Even the ones in the Village who called me "Fargo" due to my midwestern dialect! It was all in good fun.

Thank you for your obvious kindness and continued support of our nations heros.

I did not know this, but rescue workers are still pulling bodies from beneath Ground Zero. Seven this past Friday night alone! There is a must-read article in today's (Dec 10) New York Times, called "At the Pit, a Night Shift to Numb the Body and Soul" which describes what the workers are going through. (You have to register for free - I would cut and paste but Fodor's would delte it.)

God bless you and thank you, Elizabeth, and all those who bring just a little comfort to these brave workers.