ARECIBO, Puerto Rico -- Cornell University is continuing to rally to the needs of the families of Arecibo Observatory employees in the aftermath of Hurricane Georges with loans, donations and electric power.

Distribution of 53 2,500-watt Honda generators has been completed. The generators will provide enough electricity for refrigeration and lighting until power is restored. About 95 percent of Puerto Rico's power lines were destroyed by the hurricane's sweep through the island Sept. 21, and the Puerto Rico Power Authority has estimated that it could be two months before power is fully restored to Arecibo.

"The generators are being used like crazy," says Rey Medina, director of human resources at the observatory.

The generators are being sold at cost to the families, with all shipping costs absorbed by Cornell. The purchasing and shipping of the generators was organized by Harold Craft, Cornell vice president for facilities and campus services.

The National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, at Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y., manages the observatory for the National Science Foundation.

The facility employs about 140 people, whose homes dot the hills leading up to the observatory dish. About 20 of the homes were damaged in the storm, and five were destroyed. All this week, says Medina, families have been helping each other to rebuild damaged roofs The scientific staff at Arecibo has collected about $1,000 to help the neediest facility workers and their families. In addition, the Cornell Employee Assembly has launched a donation drive, with the goal of collecting $10,000 by Nov. 1.

Daniel Altschuler, director of the observatory, and Medina have formed an on-site committee that will oversee the disbursement of donations to the neediest employees. This group also will provide on-site management of an emergency loan fund, making reasonable loans to employees on the basis of need and the ability to repay. The loan fund has been established by Cornell financial officials Carolyn Ainslie, budget director, and Tom Cole, manager of capital budget and finance.

Those wishing to contribute to the donation drive can make checks payable to Cornell University and mail them to Cornell's Arecibo Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 576, Ithaca, N.Y. 14851-0576.