How industry mobilized to aid families.

Contrary to what many of us believed, last year's terrorist attacks did not change the fundamental way we live. The Kennedys, for one thing, still make front-page news. But if Sept. 11 did change anything it would be the world's perception of New Yorkers, and of New York's real estate community in particular.

The blocks-long lines of people waiting to give blood proved wrong the image of this city as a place where every man fends for himself. And the way in which the real estate industry and the construction trades came together to bring financial aid to victims' families and help clean up Ground Zero spotlighted the real estate community's substantial charity efforts.

Some firms, including SL Green Realty and Reckson Realty Associates, set up their own family assistance funds, donating millions of dollars, and others, such as Thornton-Thomasetti Engineers, helped clean up the debris from what used to be the World Trade Center. It was industry organizations like the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York, however, that made the top of the list in charitable contributions.

In the course of several months ABO collected $9 million through its national program, with a total of $4 million coming from the New York region. The money provided financial relief not only for victims' families, but for people who lost their jobs, as well.

"What we focused on here were people who were employed at the lower levels -- the cleaners, the hotel porters, the handymen," says ABO president Nick LaPorte. "We used the unions to identify people who lost their jobs, and of course we helped those who lost a family member, somebody they were dependent on. We've benefited roughly 1,200 people, with an average award of $25,000."

The Real Estate Board of New York made a substantial contribution as well, setting up space banks for dislocated businesses and preventing brokers from making money off the tragedy.

"We met with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Sept. 12 to urge him to reopen Lower Manhattan as soon as possible," says REBNY president Steven Spinola. "We issued a letter to our members urging them to cooperate and asking that there be no gouging. And we spent nine months lobbying for funding and terrorism insurance from Capitol Hill."

REBNY did not collect money itself, but encouraged members to contribute to the Twin Towers Fund, the 9/11 Fund, and the Red Cross.

"Our members contributed approximately $13 million to various charities," says Warren Wexler, a spokesman for REBNY. "And one of our brokers, Frederick Marek, led the effort for a special children's fund -- $75,000 for Christmas related services that benefited children who live close to Ground Zero. In general, we encouraged our members to make contributions that might help victims of the attack."

The Building and Construction Trades Association collected approximately $1.53 million to aid families of construction workers who died on Sept. 11. In addition, members helped the city in its clean-up effort, searching through the rubble and removing debris.

"We had a task force of volunteers in the first five days that included thousands of people, painters, engineers, carpenters," says Ed Malloy, president of Building and Construction Trades. "They stayed there until May 1, until the clean-up effort was completed."

The Association for a Better New York stepped in with fundraising efforts.

"We started to work with other groups on strategies for acquiring federal aid right after the attacks and we are currently working with Senator Schumer, Mayor Bloomberg, and Governor Pataki to make sure that the infrastructure is built in Lower Manhattan," says Bill Rudin, president of ABNY. "We tried to stabilize the area."

The New York Association of Real Estate Managers formed alliances with other industry organizations, such as the American Institute of Architects. Through the AIA, NYARM has reached out to architects that specialize in building and fire codes.

In general, the organizers of the relief efforts say they didn't have to do much coercing to compel people to respond.

"Our members volunteered time, labor, and money, regardless of their size or revenue," says Lenore Janis, president of Professional Women in Construction. "We had some women who went to World Trade Center immediately on Sept. 11. Certainly, we encouraged people to help, but it was almost something you didn't have to tell them."

Building Owners and Managers Association president Vincent A. Fantauzzi, notes that "each contribution was heartfelt, and the letters and messages of support kept us going during those dark times."