P R E S S R E L E A S E

The Executive Office, City of Providence, Rhode Island

VINCENT A. CIANCI, JR.

MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE

DATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1996

CONTACT: DOREEN PICOZZI/BERYL KENYON, 421-7740, EXT. 222

PROVIDENCE -- Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr., surrounded by donations of diapers, infant formula, presented Paul Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Family AIDS Center for Treatment and Support (FACTS) a $1,000 check that establishes a fund that will raise money for the organization, after a fire rendered its FACTS House uninhabitable for its residents -- five children and two families.

The FACTS House, located at Oxford Street in Providence and established and renovated with $82,000 of Community Development Block Grant funding and HOME funds in recent years, was severely damaged by fire in a blaze that started yesterday morning, apparently due to a discarded cigarette.

"The City today presents FACTS with a check for $1,000 and a plea to everyone out there to do your part to help children with AIDS and their families rebuild this very special residential facility," Mayor Cianci said. "Already this morning, we've contacted Providence corporations that have responded remarkably in just a few hours. The demonstration of generosity makes me extremely proud to be Mayor."

Donors, as of 12:15 p.m. today, include:

Bradlee's Department Stores, donating all buyers' samples of children's furniture and children's clothing.

Stop & Shop Supermarkets, donating disposable diapers and infant formula. William DelSanto, store manager, was present at the press conference.

Shaw's Supermarkets, donating disposable diapers and infant formula.

Edwards Superstores, donating disposable diapers and infant formula.

East Side Marketplace, donating disposable diapers and infant formula.

CVS Stores, donating disposable diapers and infant formula.

FACTS, founded in 1989, has served 139 families in Providence. It is one of only 14 facilities of its kind the nation. Yesterday's fire displaced five children who have AIDS or the HIV virus, or who have been drug-exposed, as well as two families living on the House's second floor.

` The five children were transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital, Fatima Unit, where the hospital is providing free care and shelter to the children.

"We don't know how much damage has been done, or how much money is needed to rebuild the house, as the assessment is underway right now," Mayor Cianci said. "But I pledge today that we will do what we can to find funding that will help to restore this wonderful facility, so that FACTS can continue to bring comfort to children, and their families, who are already battling the biggest challenges of all. In the meantime, I urge residents all over Rhode Island to reach out to these children, donate money, diapers, cribs, or infant formula. Please help the children who need us most."

Donations may be made to "The FACTS Fund," and mailed or delivered to: The Facts Fund, c/o Mayor's Office, Providence City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI.

PLEASE NOTE: Any public service announcements and donations of space that you can provide to the FACTS Fund would be deeply appreciated.