 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Web site to help firefighter's family
By ANNE LINDBERG © St. Petersburg Times, published February 4, 2001 PINELLAS PARK -- First came the horrifying news for Pinellas Park firefighters: Friend and former colleague Peter Sznerch and his teenage daughter, Alicia, had died in December from a car wreck that police say was caused by a drunken driver. Sznerch's wife, Cathleen, and their 7-year-old son, Nicholas, were severely injured but had survived. Then amid the grief came more bad news: The hospital had placed a $35,000 lien against Mrs. Sznerch and her son, pending an insurance company's payment of medical expenses for Alicia's treatment before she died. As if that weren't bad enough, the family's home is up for sale. Without Sznerch's salary, mortgage payments can't be made. Mrs. Sznerch cannot make the payments because she will be recovering for months and will be out of work. The situation appalled Pinellas Park firefighters, who remembered Sznerch from his time in the department as a "joyful, bubbly and positive" man who was quick to volunteer his time to his department, community and church. It didn't matter to them that Sznerch had since moved to Graham, N.C. They had to help. At first, they thought to create a fund for donations. Then fire Lt. Nick Reale came up with a different idea that could reach folks around the world. He designed and in early January set up a Web site, somewhat like the online auction house eBay, in Sznerch's memory. "It is different," Reale said Friday. "I do the Web site design on the side. I've seen the success of things like eBay. I thought this might be a real nice way to provide a stream of funds (to Sznerch's family) until they don't need it anymore." Here's the way it works: People who want to sell something just need to go to the Web site www.realeinc.com/pete/ and register their name. Part of the registration is an agreement that all proceeds from the sale will go to Sznerch's memorial fund. The item, or items, then go on the auction block. When someone wins the bid, that person notifies Reale and sends him a check made out to the fund. Reale notifies the seller to ship the item to the buyer. "It has a pretty good response so far," Reale said. "You can get some good deals." Some of the items currently on the site include sports memorabilia, such as signed baseballs from players such as Tony Gwynn, Gary Sheffield, Barry Bonds and Jeff Bagwell. Also available at the moment are firefighting memorabilia, including toy firetrucks and a hockey jersey from the New York City firefighters team. Other firefighters have donated T-shirts to the auction. If you're not interested in sports or firefighting memorabilia, other items are available. Those include a telescope, a toaster oven, clothing, books and an exercise machine similar to a Soloflex. Then there is an offer of 36 custom printed T-shirts, Reale said. The seller will print whatever the winning bidder wants on the 36 shirts before shipping them. Reale said he intends to leave the Web site up until the Sznerches no longer need financial help. But if the idea proves to be a good one for raising money, Reale said he may eventually convert it to benefit the Multiple Dystrophy Association, a longtime cause for Pinellas Park firefighters. For further information, e-mail Reale at nick@realeinc.com.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times South Pinellas desks |
