Final Fundraiser for Hartford Distributors Memorial Planned

Ever since the tragic day last August , the Rotary Club of Manchester has been on a mission.

The organization has been committed at the Chapel Road property in remembrance of the lives lost there on that disastrous day. Now, the Rotary Club is in the closing stages of this memorial project, and the group is taking another step to finish that goal this month, with the help of a couple friends.

In order to raise the remaining funds for the Rotary Club’s memorial project, the Adams Mill Restaurant in Manchester and radio station “The Rock 106.9 WCCC” are teaming up for the Height of Summer Open House Fundraiser on July 29.

“It will be a really fun, social cocktail hour after work,” Rotary Club Vice President David Skoczulek said. “We hope people bring all their friends to come help out such a great cause.”

This event will be held at the Adams Mill Restaurant at 165 Adams St. from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the tax deductible donations from attendees will directly benefit the construction of the memorial and surrounding garden project.

The minimum donation per person at this event is $15, and the evening will include complementary appetizers, drink specials and door prizes.

The Rotary Club is currently $15,000 short of the total cost of $60,000 for the project, but Skoczulek hopes this fundraiser on July 29 will close that gap.

“This event is our one last push to finish the fundraising,” he said. “We are crossing our fingers that a lot of people come out for it.”

Skoczulek also hopes that the Rotary Club continues to get donations outside of the July 29 event. He said that if people cannot attend the Adams Mill Restaurant event but would still like to donate, then they can send a suggested, tax deductible donation to Rotary Club of Manchester Foundation at PO Box 1, Manchester, CT 06045.

Kate Sims is the chair of the memorial project, and she said they have been trying to spread the word about their efforts as much as possible. Sims said it is incredible that the restaurant and radio station were kind enough to reach out and help the Rotary Club with the fundraising.

“It is a huge amount of time to open up the restaurant for this fundraiser,” she said. “I can’t thank them enough for what they are doing for our cause.”

The fundraising for this memorial has been in progress since November of 2010, and the memorial at the beer distributor’s Chapel Road property will be unveiled on August 3, which is the one year anniversary of the tragic shooting.

Skoczulek said there will be a private ceremony that day for Hartford Distributors’ employees and management, victim families and town officials.

“There will be a ton of emotion on Aug. 3,” Skoczulek said. “That tragic day was devastating for everybody, as we lost eight great people with strong ties in the region, and it is still fresh in our minds.”

After the private ceremony on Aug. 3, Skoczulek said that the public will be able to see the memorial, which will be located in a silent, secluded and wooded area.

Skoczulek said that the memorial garden and monument will consist of eight stainless steel pillars, each 6.5 feet tall. These pillars will be connected by a braided aluminum tube threaded through and connecting each.

The Rotary Club wants to symbolize the unison of not just the victims of the incident but their families and former co-workers, who pulled together to support one another in the difficult weeks and months that followed the shooting.

Each of the pillars will contain an engraving with details of the victims’ lives. The top section of the pillars will have a removable upper plate for access to a “time capsule” compartment. Each victim’s family can bring mementos and small items to place in the compartment and then it will be permanently sealed after the Aug. 3 dedication.

To donate to the memorial’s cause, send a donation to the Rotary Club of Manchester Foundation (the address is above) or log on to www.hdimemorial.com or call Sims at 860-268-9350.