Worcester Fire Fighters Memorial

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WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A recycling drive organized to raise
money for a memorial to the six Worcester firefighters who died in
a warehouse fire in December 1999 fell short of its goal to collect
one million cans and bottles, but is still considered a success
because it helped raise nearly $16,000.
The Yes We Can Bottle and Can Drive, organized by city
firefighters, set a goal of collecting one million cans and bottles
in one week late last month to raise money for the Worcester Fire
Fighters Memorial planned for Institute Park.
Reaching that lofty goal would have earned the organizing group
a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The drive brought in 318,527 cans and bottles worth $15,926.35,
it was announced on Friday, and is still considered a resounding
success.
"It was a truly community effort, in every sense and in the
best sense of the words," Fire Lt. Donald Courtney said.
"If we had ever collected one million cans and bottles, we'd
have ground the redemption center to a halt," Courtney said.
Area schools and colleges, restaurants, unions, retirement
homes, veterans organizations and churches participated in the
drive held from April 25 to 30. Fire departments from across the
state sent in contributions, and a homeless man donated four cans.
A Grafton couple brought in the cans they had been collecting to
save for a vacation.
The firefighters died Dec. 3, 1999 during a fire at Worcester
Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. that started when a homeless couple
seeking shelter in the building knocked over a candle.
"Our community came together six years ago when we lost our
fallen heroes," said Michael J. Donoghue, chairman of the
Worcester Fire Fighters Memorial Committee. "Through this
campaign, our community came together again as we prepare to honor
our fallen heroes' memories with Worcester Fire Fighters Memorial
Park."
The committee is still raising money for the memorial.
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Information from: Telegram & Gazette, http://www.telegram.com

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Mementoes from Worcester fire on display at Anna Maria College

PAXTON, Mass. (AP) - Letters, teddy bears and other mementoes
from a deadly 1999 warehouse blaze in Worcester go on display
tomorrow at Anna Maria College.
The exhibit is of items that poured into Worcester fire stations
after six firefighters were killed in the massive Worcester Cold
Storage and Warehouse fire.
Fire Lieutenant Donald Courtney said the exhibit marks the first
time the items have been on display.
Anna Maria President William McGarry tells the Telegram and
Gazette of Worcester that the college is pleased to host the
display.
The exhibit includes rosary beads, religious medals and a
cartoon of Betty Boop saluting the six firefighters killed in the
blaze.
The exhibit runs through the end of the month.


(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)