02/28/2003

The United Way of Rhode Island is administering a fund set up in conjunction with Governor Carcieri's office, emergency-management officials, and local charities. A coordinating council will oversee distribution of the funds to the fire victims and their families.

Organizations sponsoring fundraising events or employee drives are encouraged to call the United Way at 1-866-291-7610 to funnel the proceeds of their effort into this fund.

Individual donations can be sent to the United Way of Rhode Island, 229 Waterman St., Providence, R.I. 02906. Checks should be made out to The Station Nightclub Fire Relief Fund. People may also make donations through a secure site at www.uwri.org/station

Savers thrift stores will donate money to benefit the families of victims of the fire. From tomorrow through Saturday, March 15, each donation of reusable clothing or housewares will add $1 to the fund. Items may be brought to the two R.I. locations at 24 Universal Blvd., Warwick, (821-3923), or 1925 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence, (438-1955), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Citizens Bank is also accepting donations to the United Way-run fund at all its branches, or by mail to 1 Citizens Plaza, Providence, R.I. 02903.

The Rhode Island State Council of Churches is collecting donations to The Station Fire Victims Fund; checks should be made out to the council, specifying that the money is for The Station fund, and mailed to the council at 225 Chapman St., Suite 203, Providence, R.I. 02905.

Cox Communications will collect donations to the same fund at its 10 service and retail centers. Donors are asked to make out checks to The Station Fire Victims Fund.

Firefighters of the Lime Rock Fire District in Lincoln will accept cash donations to The Station Fire Victims Relief Fund tomorrow and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Lincoln Park.

Dexter Credit Union is collecting cash donations to be funneled into the United Way fund at its offices at 934 Dexter St., Central Falls, and at the Route 6 Scituate Village Shopping Plaza branch in North Scituate. Checks payable to The Station Fire Victim Fund may be dropped off or mailed to The Station Fire Victim Fund, c/o Dexter Credit Union, 934 Dexter St., Central Falls, R.I. 02863.

The Washington Trust Co. is taking contributions to The Station Fire Victims Relief Fund at its 15 branches, and it has also pledged to match any contributions to that fund made by its employees. Also, Washington Trust will host a blood drive Friday, March 7, at its main office, 23 Broad St., Westerly, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Coventry Credit Union is collecting money at each of its branches for the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Red Cross's Fire Prevention Training Program, in connection with local emergency-management associations. People can put cash donations in canisters at the credit unions at: 1584 Nooseneck Hill Rd. and 1076 Main St., both in Coventry; 744 Main St., West Warwick; 56 Railroad St., Lincoln; and 435 Wood St., Bristol.

Sovereign and Fleet banks are also collecting money for the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Red Cross. Donations will help the Red Cross continue to serve victims of fires and other disasters as it did last weekend, according to Red Cross spokeswoman Sarah Bilofsky. Donations can be made at any Fleet Bank branch, or mailed to Sovereign Bank, 1927 Post Rd., Warwick, R.I. 02886. Checks should be made out to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donors may specify whether their gift should stay in Rhode Island, or whether it can be used to support Red Cross efforts nationwide.

Centreville Savings Bank and the West Warwick Municipal Employees Union have set up The Station Fire Victims Fund. The bank's branches will have donation canisters in the lobbies and at teller stations. Checks can also be sent to the bank's headquarters, 1218 Main St., West Warwick, R.I. 02893. All money collected will be donated to the United Way.

Cranston City Councilman Kirk McDonough has set up The Station Fire Victims Fund at Citizens Bank -- separate from the bank's own fundraising -- to benefit the victims and their families. McDonough said he may fold his fund into the United Way account. Contributions can be dropped off at any branch location or mailed to The Station Fire Victims, c/o Citizens Bank, 56 Rolfe St., Cranston, R.I. 02910.

The West Warwick Department of Human Services has asked local businesses for fundraising assistance to help fire victims' families with short-term needs such as utility bills and funeral arrangements. Donations to the Kent County Fire Victims Fund can be made through the Senior Center, 20 Factory St., West Warwick, at 822-4450. Checks should be made out to the West Warwick Senior Center, Emergency Shelter Account.

The Call nightclub and Liquid Blue, an Internet sports, music and fantasy-themed paraphernalia company with the same owner, have set up the Liquid Blue Charitable Fund, a certified nonprofit, to raise money for the victims and their families. The Call and the Century Lounge will host shows all weekend to raise money for the fund (see below); donations can also be made online at http://www.liquidblue.com, or by calling 1-866-450-BLUE.

The Catholic Charity Fund Office and the Diocese of Providence's Office of Community Services have an emergency fund for the victims and their families. Donations can be mailed to the Office of Community Services, 184 Broad St., Providence, R.I. 02903, or the Catholic Charity Fund Office at 80 St. Mary Drive, Cranston, R.I. 02920. Checks can be payable to either agency, and should be marked "West Warwick Fire Emergency Fund."

U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy's office is available to assist those who need help in getting passports or visas for foreign visitors who want to attend services, along with Social Security matters and other relevant issues. The office number is 729-5600.

U.S. Rep. James Langevin's Warwick district office at 300 Centreville Rd. is offering assistance to people directly affected by the fire. The office number is 732-9400.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed's office will help relatives and victims of the fire who have any questions or problems regarding any federal agency or a local or state issue. The office can help with topics concerning health or disability insurance, Medicaid, or Social Security. Reed's office can be reached at 943-3100 or (800) 284-4200.

U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee announced that his staff is available to assist fire victims and their families at the Family Assistance Center at the former Webber Chevrolet, Route 2, West Warwick. Until the center is established, Chafee's staff can be reached at 453-5294.

Abar Imaging Center in Providence is offering free memorial portraits or pictures for families of the fire victims to display at funerals and memorial services. Families can call 427-2828 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., or come to the company at 35 Corliss St. in Providence.

Rep. William J. McManus, I-Dist. 46, and Lincoln Town Administrator Sue Sheppard are asking Lincoln residents to assist in the financial recovery for the families who lost loved ones on Feb. 20. Checks, made out to Lincoln Collection for The Station Victims Fund, can be sent c/o Lincoln Town Employees Federal Credit Union, 100 Old River Rd., Lincoln, R.I. 02865.

All five branch locations of the Rhode Island State Employees Credit Union (Cranston, Bristol, URI, Pascoag and Providence) will accept donations to benefit fire victims.

UnitedHealthcare will offer free, 24-hour phone counseling services, staffed by experienced therapists and registered nurses who can assist callers with the range of personal concerns. Rhode Island and Massachusetts residents may access the service by calling (800) 268-1026 through March 21. This service is provided to UnitedHealthcare enrollees and nonmembers as well. UnitedHealthcare members with Care24 service benefits may access counseling, financial and legal services via the toll-free number on the back of their ID cards.

Rhode Island Hospital is offering an expansion of its outpatient burn care for people who were treated and discharged from area hospitals after last week's fire. Physical and occupational therapy, social work, nutrition, case management and psychological support will be offered. Services will be provided by appointment Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Call 444-4800 for an appointment. Also, the Lifespan Web site, www.lifespan.org, allows people to e-mail messages to patients, their families and caregivers.

Loffredo's Monumental Decor, 1469 Cranston St., Cranston, will add the name to any existing family grave marker, and where necessary, add a new marker in any cemetery in Rhode Island or nearby Massachusetts at no charge. For information, call 942-4797.

Liberty Tax Service will prepare 2002 tax returns free of charge for families of victims of the fire, at the Warwick Mall office, 400 Bald Hill Rd. Call 737-5542. The Liberty Tax Service Web site is www.LibertyTax.com

Textron Financial has created and will manage a trust fund for the benefit of the son of its employee, Dina DeMaio, who died in the fire. Donations can be sent to the "Dina and Justin DeMaio Trust," in care of Textron Financial Corporation, Human Resources Department, 5th floor, 40 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02940-6687.

St. Francis Cares Wellness Center, 45 Weybosset St., Providence, is offering the opportunity, free of charge, to speak in confidence with a medical professional or therapist trained in trauma and grief counseling, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Call 331-6510, ext. 120 for evening appointments. For more information, call 861-8195

The Catholic Cemeteries Office of the Diocese of Providence is making graves available, at no charge, at several diocesan cemeteries. Burial-related charges will also be waived, saving families about $1,800 of the $5,000 to $6,000 average cost of a funeral. Call 278-4575.

The Rhode Island Blood Center says it has received an "overwhelmingly positive" response to its call for donations, so people who want to give blood may not get an appointment until mid- or late March. Spokeswoman Kathy Connolly encouraged donors to take those appointments, because there will still be a great need then. Anyone wishing to schedule a blood drive is also encouraged to call, though drives are booked two to three months in advance. For more information, call 1-800-283-8385.

The American Lung Association of Rhode Island is offering informational resources to victims of the fire who have suffered lung injuries. ALARI volunteers will be at the Family Resource Center, Quaker Lane, Warwick, today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The American Lung Association Call Center will have registered nurses and respiratory therapists available to answer questions on a range of lung health issues, including damage from fires, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The center's number is 1-800-548-8252.

Friends Way, 146 Duke St., East Greenwich, provides free community- and volunteer-based bereavement support to children, ages 3 to 19, and their families. The group also provides grief and loss workshops and crisis-intervention support to schools, hospitals, civic and professional organizations throughout Rhode Island. Support groups meet on alternating Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Call 884-0200.

Other fundraisers
The St. John the Baptist School Parent Teacher Council members and the St. John and St. James Parish community will hold a pasta dinner to benefit The Station Victims and Family Fund tomorrow beginning at 4:30 p.m. at St. James Church Hall, 1270 Main St., West Warwick. Tickets: $5. Additional donations will be accepted.

Rhode Island College has set up an endowment fund in memory of Michael J. Gonsalves, also known as WHJY's "The Doctor." Checks made payable to the Michael J. Gonsalves Endowment Fund can be sent to Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence, R.I. 02908.

Salon Galleria and Spa, 1015 Tiogue Ave., Coventry, will hold a cut-a-thon Monday from noon to 7 p.m. featuring manicures, pedicures and haircuts for a minimum donation of $5. All proceeds will be given to the United Way Station Night Club Fire Relief Fund. Salon Galleria is also asking any hairdressers or nail technicians who would like to donate their time to call Kristen Pope at 821-0400 or 623-0083.

Century Lounge/The Call, 15 Elbow St., Providence, will host shows tomorrow and Sunday, part of their "Call to Action Benefit." A minimum $10 donation is requested at the door. Both shows start at 7 p.m.

Tomorrow: Fungus Amungus, Some Weird Band, Depth Quartet featuring members of Mac Creek, Big Jon Tierney & the Truth, Floodwaters, Turning Blue, Jim James band and Ricky Valente (solo acoustic), Betty Finn, Just Before August and Psycads.

Sunday: Dave Howard, Young Neal and the Vipers, Rick Mendes, Green Tea, New Prophets, Jan Schmidt, John (Crawlin' Snake) Mac.

Copperfield's, 1551 Warwick Ave., Warwick, plans a show Sunday featuring Mr. Breeze (a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute), Strutt, Young Neal and the Vipers, Backlash, PowerHouse, Witz End, Diver Down (Van Halen tribute), Nothing 2 Lose, Old School, S.B.S. (an Ozzy/Black Sabbath tribute), and Mutley. Doors open at 1 p.m.; music starts at 2; cost is $10.

The Community College of Rhode Island is holding a jazz and blues concert to benefit The Station fire victims on Saturday, March 22, at 8 p.m. in the Bobby Hackett Theatre, CCRI Knight Campus, Warwick. The tentative lineup includes Michelle "Evil Gal" Wilson, former Roomful of Blues players Porky Cohen and Gordon Beadle, legendary Count Basie drummer Harold Jones, B-3 organist Lonnie Gasperini, guitarist Mike Williams, trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, saxophonist Dick Johnson, pianist Paul Schmeling and bassist Marshall Wood. Tickets are $15; $10 for students with IDs. Call 825-2168 or 333-7159.

Radio station WHJY-FM will sponsor a memorial vigil and tribute to Mike Gonsalves, called The Doctor, and other victims of the fire, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center tomorrow. Doors open at 10:30 p.m.; the event starts at 11. There will be a live simulcast of The Doctor's Final Metal Zone Show, and Gary Cherrone of Extreme will perform.

A benefit concert for fire victims will be held Saturday, March 8, at 9 p.m., at Jamie's, 804 Plain St., Marshfield, Mass. Proceeds will help musician Jamie Conway, of Pembroke, Mass., who was seriously burned; the family of Shawn Sweet, who was killed in the fire; and other affected South Shore residents. The headliner is Draw the Line, an Aerosmith tribute band; the concert also features Tryptonite, Vibrotica and other South Shore acts. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Brooksie's Sports Bar & Grill, in Lincoln, will hold a fundraiser to benefit the victims and families of The Station fire on Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $1, and there will be a pasta buffet. Call 726-9032.

Jovan's Multi-Plex, DJ Twin and Dutch Correia will hold "A Sunday Jam Session" fundraiser featuring R.I.'s top Dee Jays for The Station Nightclub Fire Relief Fund Sunday, March 9. Donation is $5. Jovan's is at 6 Portland St., Providence. Call 421-8060.

Learning Express, 74 Frenchtown Rd., North Kingstown, is hosting a fundraiser today and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to raise money for the victims of The Station fire. The group will donate 25 percent of the sales to the fund.

IFMA Freestyle Motocross and the Dunkin' Donuts Center will donate a portion of proceeds from the motocross event this weekend to the victims and families of The Station fire.

Resources for victims' families

HELP CENTER

The Station Fire Family Resource Center, at 883 Quaker Lane (Route 2), West Warwick, is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although the center accepts walk-ins, state officials encourage families to make appointments in advance, to avoid a wait, by calling toll-free at (877) 748-3700. More information is available online at:

www.gov.state.ri.us

PHONE NUMBERS

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, victims hot line: (401) 462-7111

Dental records: (401) 222-5500

West Warwick Department of Human Services, outreach and information to families, (800) 652-4450

Rhode Island Hospital: (401) 444-4005

Kent County Memorial Hospital: (401) 737-7000, ext. 1395

Send information about the fire to the R.I. attorney general's office: (401) 821-6101.