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Press Releases |
| Thomas
Rossi to Aid in Fundraising Efforts for Station Fire Memorial Foundation
Park Design
1:00PM - February 17th 2008 West Warwick Rhode Island – February 17th 2008 – The Station Fire Memorial Foundation (SFMF) announced today that they have secured the efforts of Thomas J. Rossi to assist the board with their goal of constructing a permanent memorial park on the site of the former West Warwick nightclub. In his part-time role as Executive Director Mr. Rossi will answer directly to the SFMF Board of Directors. "We are thrilled to have found each other," commented SFMF Board President Jessica Garvey. "The work of our board has always been a grass roots effort and while we are going to remain that way at heart we are not naïve about the scale of this project, which is why we are truly blessed to have a person such as Mr. Rossi willing to help us with our continued mission." Tom Rossi has an extensive background in raising both public awareness and supporting funds for a variety of non-profit entities throughout the United States. He was a 2002 Ellis Island Humanitarian Award Nominee, the 2003 recipient of the Rhode Island Legislative Humanitarian & Disabilities Award and currently serves on the boards of the Providence Ronald Mc Donald House and the Providence Performing Arts Center. Educated at the University of Rhode Island he also holds a Masters of Science in Management from Leslie College in Cambridge, MA. At present, Mr. Rossi is an Associate Professor in the International MBA Program at the Alan Shawn Feinstein Graduate School of Johnson & Wales University. "When you've been involved with the non-profit community as long as I have you are always wondering what project will be the one that you are remembered for, what's going to be your swan song so to speak," related Rossi. "I truly believe that seeing this park built is going to be that project." "Although I have only been with this board for a few weeks I am amazed at their heartfelt perseverance getting to this point. Without any formal experience they have already raised an impressive amount of funds and now they have this beautiful design to work with… I am really in awe and am very excited about helping them to see that all of their hard work results in this special park for all of Rhode Island." In a separate release today the SFMF board announced their specific plans for a permanent memorial park to be constructed on the grounds of the former West Warwick night club and site of the tragic fire which claimed 100 lives in 2003. While Mr. Rossi will be primarily responsible for promotion and fundraising for the park he is also committed to working with all of the groups which have formed in the aftermath of the fire. "This is not just about building gardens and walkways." Rossi commented. "This is about healing and working though the strong emotions so many have in regards to this tragedy. My whole career has centered on bringing people together for a common good and as long as we keep that in mind and work together I have no doubt that we'll all succeed together." About the Station Fire Memorial Foundation: The Station Fire Memorial Foundation is an all
volunteer, 501[c]3 charitable organization, committed to remembering
the precious lives of those lost and the countless lives changed
forever on February 20, 2003. The Foundation’s mission is
to procure the land known as the Station site, ensure a proper
memorial is erected and also maintain it. The Foundation encourages
maximum support and participation by all those affected by the
Station fire, to give the victims the only gift within our power,
a gift we wish desperately for our loved ones, a gift we all want
. . . to be remembered.
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Station
Fire Memorial Foundation Announce Park Design
1:00PM - February 17th 2008 West Warwick Rhode Island – February 17th 2008 – The Station Fire Memorial Foundation (SFMF) released their plans to erect a permanent memorial park on the site of the former Station Night Club. The announcement came during their Fifth Anniversary Memorial Service to commemorate the tragic 2003 fire which claimed 100 lives. SFMF Board President Jessica Garvey displayed the plans which were selected as part of a nation-wide design search. The chosen design is the creation of Architect Stephen Greenleaf and Thomas Viall, General Manager of RI.gov. Both men are native Rhode Islanders. The two started their work in April of 2007 when the guidelines for the memorial were announced by the search committee. "We are very honored to have had our work selected by the foundation," Mr. Greenleaf remarked, "The plan we submitted represented a lot of hard work and a great deal of thought. It was very important to Tom and me from the beginning that this site be developed as a place that means something to all of Rhode Island, as we believe this event in one way or another touched all of us." The site plan includes a memorial path with individual commemorative gardens. Other prominent features are a timber-framed meeting house, large patio area, gardens and a unique 'ripple pool' feeding a stream which winds through the site. The signature landmark for the site is an Aeolian harp bridge which will lead visitors into the park. An Aeolian harp uses only the vibration of the wind to create soothing and ethereal sounds. 100 strings, each dedicated to one of the victims, will stretch vertically along the sides of the bridge. Designer Tom Viall explains, "As the wind passes through the bridge the harmonic vibrations of each string will resonate, creating a musical soundtrack for the site reminding us how music was one of the main forces that originally brought people to this very spot." The landscape architecture firm of Gates' Leighton & Associates has already graciously donated time to assist the board with the submitted design. The East Providence based company has global experience in similar projects and is responsible for the three dimensional rendering of the plan presented to the public. Gates' Leighton has also committed pro-bono efforts working with the designers and SFMF in ongoing efforts to determine the estimated costs of the project. "This is a very ambitious project." SFMF Board President Garvey related. "A design of this scale is going to require significant funds and while we have already been contacted by many organizations offering to donate materials and labor we know that there is a lot of work ahead of us. That being said, we have no doubt that Rhode Island is going to be very generous when it comes to seeing this project completed." In a separate statement, the SFMF board also announced that they have secured the services of Thomas J. Rossi as part-time Executive Director to assist in their ongoing efforts to raise awareness and funds for the project. The board related that one the driving factors behind their selection of the design was that it would truly be a living memorial, honoring not just the victims of the tragedy but survivors, first responders and caregivers. The plan is also flexible, offering space for both educational displays as well as the work of local artisans – many who have already contributed their work to the foundation. "We all deserve a place to heal," Garvey continued. "We feel that this design offers that place for all of Rhode Island and we look forward to seeing it come to life." About the Station Fire Memorial Foundation: The Station Fire Memorial Foundation is an all volunteer, 501[c]3 charitable organization, committed to remembering the precious lives of those lost and the countless lives changed forever on February 20, 2003. The Foundation’s mission is to procure the land known as the Station site, ensure a proper memorial is erected and also maintain it. The Foundation encourages maximum support and participation by all those affected by the Station fire, to give the victims the only gift within our power, a gift we wish desperately for our loved ones, a gift we all want . . . to be remembered.
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