WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) – A recycling drive organized to raise money for a memorial to the six Worcester firefighters who died in a warehouse fire in December 1999 fell short of its goal to collect one million cans and bottles, but is still considered a success because it helped raise nearly $16,000.

The Yes We Can Bottle and Can Drive, organized by city firefighters, set a goal of collecting one million cans and bottles in one week late last month to raise money for the Worcester Fire Fighters Memorial planned for Institute Park.

Reaching that lofty goal would have earned the organizing group a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The drive brought in 318,527 cans and bottles worth $15,926.35, it was announced on Friday, and is still considered a resounding success.

“It was a truly community effort, in every sense and in the best sense of the words,” Fire Lt. Donald Courtney said.

“If we had ever collected one million cans and bottles, we’d have ground the redemption center to a halt,” Courtney said.

Area schools and colleges, restaurants, unions, retirement homes, veterans organizations and churches participated in the drive held from April 25 to 30. Fire departments from across the state sent in contributions, and a homeless man donated four cans. A Grafton couple brought in the cans they had been collecting to save for a vacation.

The firefighters died Dec. 3, 1999 during a fire at Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. that started when a homeless couple seeking shelter in the building knocked over a candle.

“Our community came together six years ago when we lost our fallen heroes,” said Michael J. Donoghue, chairman of the Worcester Fire Fighters Memorial Committee. “Through this campaign, our community came together again as we prepare to honor our fallen heroes’ memories with Worcester Fire Fighters Memorial Park.”

The committee is still raising money for the memorial.

Information from: Telegram & Gazette, http://www.telegram.com

AP-ES-05-28-05 1806EDT