NEW SPRINGVILLE — A decommissioned Staten Island fire truck that responded to 9/11 will return to New York for the first time in three years to lead a motorcycle ride and fundraiser.
The Aug. 25 event will raise money for the Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund, which honors Bini, a Rescue 5 firefighter from Staten Island who died on 9/11.
The firehouse's rig, which was decommissioned in 2011, has been on a national tour to educate the public about 9/11 and honor the fallen firefighters through the Remembrance Rescue Project, said Massimo DiDonna, president of the Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund.
The fire truck will be a centerpiece of the "Bikers for Bini" fundraising event, which will feature a motorcycle ride, a classic car show, monster trucks, a raffle to win a Harley-Davidson bike and live music, including a performance by former Yankee Bernie Williams.
“This is a truly touching moment for both the Bini family and the Bini Organization,” DiDonna said.
“I would like to personally thank the Remembrance Rescue Project, Rescue 5 and all parties involved for allowing us to make the Rescue 5 rig the most vital piece of our event.”
Rescue 5 lost 11 members from its house on 9/11, making it one of the hardest-hit firehouses on Staten Island.
The truck will stay in New York for a week, before heading to its next tour stop in North Carolina.
The “Bikers for Bini” event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Staten Island Mall. Tickets are $20, children under 12 are free, and tickets cost $25 for a driver in the biker ride and $15 for a passenger. For more information or to order tickets, visit the event's website.