Rock Fans Come Together To Help Those In Need

On February 20, 2003 the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island burned to the ground in less then three minutes. The tragedy was the fourth largest nightclub fire and the largest music related tragedy of all time. The tragedy that killed 100 people and severely injured 200 others leaves many survivors and family members still picking up the pieces. There are 143 children of those who survived the fire, 65 children lost one or both parents and of the 200 severely injured, only 15 have qualified for any form of disability insurance.

Out of the ashes, the Station Family Fund was founded. The Station Family Fund is maintained by a group of survivors who needed to come together to meet the needs of the victims' families and survivors. To date the group has raised and distributed over $400,000. The organization prides itself on being all-volunteer and every cent raised goes directly to meet the everyday needs such as clothing, food, rent and etc. Litigation has just begun and expectations are that it will be approximately five years before anyone affected receives any monetary settlement. This leaves a huge gap where families are left to fend for themselves and a huge outcry to the public has been made.

As fate would have it, a group of friendly and caring concertgoers heard the cry for help and has challenged all their fellow rock fans at the Rockin' the Rivers music festival to dig in and help. Not only are they calling local rock fans to come to the rescue, but have found a way to help nationally. The band GREAT WHITE currently is on tour and will be in Montana August 14. GREAT WHITE has raised over $85,000 from the tour proceeds and also donates 100% of merchandise sales to the Station Family Fund.

Inspired by a comment from his 12-year-old son, Greg Smith and a group of friends created Northwest Rockers to the Rescue. "I did some research into the situation and was shocked to learn how little help the victims of the fire were getting," said Greg. "For the most part the mainstream rock and roll community has turned its back to the victims. When I found out that GREAT WHITE has devoted their future to helping the Station Family Fund; we decided to do something to help them raise money." The Northwest Rockers to the Rescue was created to raise money for the Station Family Fund. We are doing this through a prize raffle along with the auctioning of autographed music memorabilia and T-shirt sales. A local business donated a guitar, which has been custom airbrushed by a local GREAT WHITE fan. It will be autographed by GREAT WHITE on stage at Rockin' the Rivers and a winner will be drawn. People from the Northwest USA have come forward to help the victims. We are taking donations for the Station Family Fund on our website and for each $1.00 donated a ticket will be in the drawing for the guitar. "Every penny raised is given to the Station Family Fund, on behalf of GREAT WHITE and the Northwest Rockers." People from all over the U.S. have donated through the web site. The drawing will take place on August 14.

Todd King, Vice President of the Station Family Fund and also a survivor of the tragedy says, "I am astounded that a group of selfless people like the Northwest Rockers who are based so far away; and in the middle of their annual get together for fun has answered our plea for help and organized this fund raising event to help their fellow music fans and their families. Isn't this the true spirit of community that music is supposed to bring out?"

To read more about the Northwest Rockers or to buy raffle tickets visit them at www.northwestrockers.com or call them at (509) 995-8596 or (406)591-9757.