PROVIDENCE / 1:55 p.m. -- The Station Nightclub Fire Relief Fund
received $1,812,000 through Friday, the last day that the United Way of
Rhode Island was accepting donations for the fund.
The money is being used to meet the short-term needs of victims and
families affected by the Feb. 20 fire at the West Warwick club, which
killed 99 and injured about 180.
As of Thursday, $446,832 had been distributed to help victims and their
families pay rent, buy food and help with funeral bills, among other
costs, said Hank Sennott, a spokesman for the United Way of Rhode Island.
"We've helped with 83 of the 99 funerals," Sennott said.
Rhode Islanders can still make donations to help victims and their
families, but those donations will be used to address long-term needs.
Those donations should be sent to The Station Nightclub Fire Relief Fund
at the Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, R.I.
02903.
Victims and their families who need help with short-term needs can call
the Rhode Island Department of Human Services at 1-877-748-3700 through
April 21.
After April 21, victims and families can request help with longer-term
needs by calling the same number.
Almost 5,000 individuals, businesses and groups from Rhode Island,
Massachusetts and many other parts of the country have contributed to
the fund, according to Sennott.
"It was a tremendous response," he said.
The United Way will continue to administer the fund to help with
short-term needs, according to Sennott. Any remaining money will be
transferred to the Rhode Island Foundation's effort to help with
long-term needs.
