Many people nearby have used the laundry facilities, dined in the cafeteria and sought recreation at the observatory's swimming pool. The small cafeteria, normally used by 10 people on any given night, has been serving anywhere from 50 to 100 people at dinner since the hurricane. Cornell has ordered 53 generators for families of Arecibo employees. These 2,500-watt Honda generators will be sold at cost to the families and will provide enough electricity for refrigeration and electrical light until power is restored, said Eugene Bartell, an administrator with the NAIC in Ithaca. All 53 generators are being shipped by Federal Express, and shipping costs will be absorbed by Cornell.
Medina reports that the observatory employees are in high spirits.
He has organized 15 employees to serve as language translators for the Red Cross volunteers currently working in mountain areas of the island. On the Cornell campus in Ithaca, the Cornell Employee Assembly has begun to organize a hurricane relief effort for its severely affected Arecibo colleagues. Those wanting to contribute can make checks out to Cornell University and mail them to Cornell's Arecibo Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 576, Ithaca N.Y. 14851-0576.