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« Update: Power failure at RIC cancels today's classes | Today | Mashpee Wampanoag casino plans still up in air » July 11, 2007Update: Derderians to launch Station education fundBrothers Michael and Jeffrey Derderian, owners of the former Station nightclub, have created a nonprofit group to help the nearly 80 children who lost a parent or guardian in the 2003 fire at the nightclub. The Derderians are being joined in the effort by Jody King, whose brother worked as a bouncer at the club and was among the 100 people who died. The Station Education Fund expects to hold a public launch about the project next Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane in Warwick, according to a statement issued today by Jeffrey Derderian and King. The fund’s Web site, www.stationeducationfund.org, expects to go live that morning, at 6 a.m. King is the brother of bouncer Tracy King, who died in the fire, which began when the band Great White set off pyrotechnics that ignited highly flammable foam that lined the walls of the club as soundproofing material. In September, the Derderian brothers pleaded no contest to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter for their part in the deadly blaze. In exchange, Michael Derderian is serving a four-year term at the Adult Correctional Institutions. Jeffrey received a suspended sentence and was ordered to perform 500 hours of community service and serve three years' probation. This fundraising effort is not part of his required community service. -- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson The Station Education Fund is not affiliated with The Station Family Fund. Jeffrey Derderian said in today’s statement: “Michael and I and our families are committed to trying to do all we can to help these children. This tragedy happened on our doorstep, and we hope this effort and other initiatives we are planning will provide some measure of solace to all those affected.” SEF will focus solely on the educational needs of the children affected by the fire, including fundraising for K-12 expenses that may include activity fees, social events, books, sports equipment, field trips and special tutoring. Also, the fund announces it is trying to secure college scholarship consideration for the children at all of Rhode Island’s public and private higher education institutions. The organization’s first fundraising event will be a motorcycle adventure charity ride, called “Revving up for Kids,” on Sept. 30 at 9 a.m. The event will leave Tollgate High School in Warwick and conclude at Excalibur Powersports in Plainfield, Conn. Diane Mattera, 55, of Warwick, was the mother of Tammy Mattera-Housa, who died in the fire. She said this today about the new fund: “I don't think I want to get involved with anything the Derderians have to offer. To me, it's like blood money ...They took my daughter's life, so I don't want anything from them... “They killed her, and if it makes them sleep easier at night to buy somebody a notebook and a pencil, so be it. They can take their guilt money and keep it." -- With reports from Journal staff writer Paul Edward Parker Posted by Kate Bramson CommentsStephanie T. | July 11, 2007 4:36 PM link who needs the help of these jerks ? its a ploy to create a job for these idiots. what is going on with this lawsuit ? the judge involved in evaluating and defining the case should be taken off the bench for letting this linger so long. Chris | July 11, 2007 7:00 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
Sick, just sick. I have been trying for four years to get a book published so I can raise money for the most innocent victims of this tragedy and these two can just do this to make themselves look good and feel better? Whatever!!!