LEWISTON – Patriotic patrons at Del’s Bar and Grill united Thursday to pay tribute to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The approximately 50 patrons were celebrating the thousands of quarters they have amassed to donate to families of the victims.

For the past 18 months Del’s has been collecting New York state quarters to reach the number of people who perished in the World Trade Center disaster, said Del’s co-owner Carol LeBlanc. That number is 2,797.

“We wanted to do something to help the families” of victims, she said.

The 150 regulars at the bar and others surpassed the goal by collecting a total of 3,232 quarters, LeBlanc said.

“When (9-11) happened it hit the people in this bar hard,” she said. “They’re very patriotic. I’m very glad we could do something.”

“What really matters to us is the unity of this bar coming together,” LeBlanc added.

On Thursday night City Councilor Lillian O’Brien thanked Del’s for the city of Lewiston.

She led the patrons in a rousing rendition of “God Bless America.”

With misty eyes, people waved their flags to the music.

“I’m very much impressed that they have done this,” O’Brien said. “That’s an incredible number of quarters.”

Patrons reacted to the moment.

“It feels great,” said bartender Debbie Alberts, who donated many quarters for the cause.

Michelle Berube donated many as well.

“It’s a great thing to do,” she said. “I would hope somebody would help me if the tables were turned.”

Shirley Gardiff commented on the moment’s bittersweetness.

“(I’m) happy to be able to help them and sad for their loss,” she said. “Every little bit helps.”

Maxine Sukefordh said that it felt good to be able to help.

“Those people had a bad time,” she said.

Gae Toothaker described the scene at Del’s Thursday night.

“I think it’s pretty good,” she said.

Rose Thibeault said she was in Connecticut on Sept. 11, 2001.

“It was very scary,” she said.

Ted Malier, a 15-year regular at Del’s, said he had “goosebumps” taking in the scene at the bar Thursday.

“I have not seen any other bar do this yet,” he said. “We’re all (coming) together here. It’s a friendly bar.”

Of the bar’s unity, Irene Cote said: “That’s the whole story.”

Theresa Beaupre said she was glad to help out.

“It makes me feel good,” she said. “I wish I could do more.”

The bar’s unity impressed Marie Anctil.

“I think it’s very good,” she said. “People should help each other.”

“I wish I could do a helluva lot more,” Anctil added.

The quarters will go to the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund, LeBlanc said.

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