By Special to the Town Crier

The local high-tech community swung into action last week in response to terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Cisco Systems, headed by CEO John Chambers of Los Altos Hills, announced a $6 million donation last week to key relief and support organizations serving the New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., areas.

Applied Materials Inc., fronted by CEO James C. Morgan of Los Altos Hills, announced plans to donate $250,000 to relief efforts and match employee donations up to an additional $750,000. This followed the company’s immediate efforts to mobilize a program throughout North America to assist employees interested in donating blood.

“All citizens of the world were affected by these tragic events and we are committed to assisting those who are suffering. Our hopes and thoughts are with the victims and families affected by these terrible tragedies,” Morgan said.

High-tech entrepreneur Steve Kirsch of Los Altos Hills offered on his foundation Web page ways people can help out with links to the Red Cross and other sites. He also wrote a lengthy piece on how airplane systems can be designed to prevent hijackings.

Adobe Systems (co-founded by Chuck Geschke of Los Altos), Sun Microsystems and other bastions of high-tech might also offered condolences and outlets for aid on their company home pages.