Firebirds and Dura Builders to Honor Local Scholarship Winners
May 1, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds will honor ten local Dura Builders-Carl Asaro 9/11 Scholarship winners at halftime of their game versus the Georgia Force on Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Indiana Firebirds, through the charitable donations of Dura Builders, have helped raise $14,000 this season for the Dura Builders-Carl Asaro 9/11 Scholarship Fund.
Carl Asaro, a New York City Firefighter, was among the 340 firefighters killed in the 911 terrorist attacks. In an effort to express gratitude to Carl Asaro and the many firefighters and police officers who give selflessly everyday, Dura Builders developed the Dura Builders-Carl Asaro 9/11 Scholarship Fund.
Initially, it was Dura's intention to provide scholarship funds for Mr. Asaro's five school-aged children. However Carl's wife, Heloisa, learned that her family's financial needs had been met by various disaster relief initiatives. Upon the urging of Carl's wife Heloisa, it became Dura's initiative to establish a scholarship fund in her husband's name to support the educational needs of the children of central Indiana firefighters and police officers.
This season Dura Builders, in conjunction with the Indiana Firebirds and Firebirds kicker Clay Rush, have helped raise $14,000 to be awarded to this year's ten local scholarship winners. There will be one $5,000 grand-prize winner with the remaining nine students receiving $1,000 scholarships.
Throughout the season, Dura Builders has donated $300 for every successful field goal and $100 for every successful extra point by Indiana Firebirds place kicker, Clay Rush. In a presentation at halftime of the Firebirds game versus the Georgia Force on Sunday, May 4th, Clay Rush and Dura Corporation President Paul Shoopman will present Heloisa Asaro a check in the amount of $14,000 for the Dura Builders-Carl Asaro 9/11 Scholarship Fund.
"Dura Builders would like to thank the Indiana Firebirds for their support of this fund," said Dura Builders President Paul Shoopman. "The 10 scholarship recipients are also to be commended for their outstanding academic achievement. Their parents should truly feel proud."
"The entire Firebirds organization is both privileged and honored to have been able to team up with Dura Builders this year to help raise money for such a wonderful cause," said Firebirds general manager Joe Hennessy. "Not only is the money raised in honor of Mr. Asaro and the many firemen and police officers who devote their entire lives to saving others, but the money is then awarded to Central Indiana high school students who demonstrate excellence both inside and outside the classroom."
The scholarships were based on a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, attendance of 95 percent over the student's high school career, letters of recommendation, and a 1,000 word essay contest.
Students who are interested in receiving an application for next year's scholarships may write to Ernie Reno, Avatar Communications, 1905 Crown Plaza Blvd., Plainfield, IN 46168, or contact his or her local fire or police department directly.
The Firebirds return home this Sunday, May 4th for the team's final home game of the regular season when they host the Georgia Force for the two team's first-ever meeting. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (Indianapolis Time). The game can also be heard on the Firebirds' Radio Network, which includes ESPN Radio 950 AM (Indianapolis), WPZZ 95.9 FM (Franklin, IN), ESPN Radio 1130 AM (Brazil) and ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Terre Haute).
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