2008 Woodie Awards
Community joins together to provide relief for fire victims
By Rachel Seeman
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 3/10/06 Section: News
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"I've never felt a part of this community until now in the face of tragedy," said Bill Boyd, the resident who discovered the fire.
Boyd said Vice President for Student Life Robert Watson met with he and his roomates Friday morning, assuring the men he would help with emergency money to get them started again.
Executive Director Ed Bucha said the Slippery Rock University Foundation Inc. has given checks to each of the residents to help with clothing, food and any other necessary items.
"The students lost everything," Bucha said, "that's a difficult situation, obviously."
The foundation exists to help students in emergency situations.
"Through the future here, should they need something else, again they know they can ask," Bucha said. "If we can do something to help them, we certainly will."
Boyd said there are many individuals and local businesses helping them with living arrangements, clothing and replacing material goods.
Bob's Subs, Subway, Domino's Pizza, Sheetz and En Lai Chinese Restaurant have given them gift certificates. Movie Gallery also provided a gift certificate despite the fact that that one the residents lost a rented movie in the fire.
Amber Stepanion, service coordinator of the American Red Cross and a fall 2005 SRU graduate, met with the residents along with Watson around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
"We provided them with a comfort kit that includes toiletry and hygiene items," Stepanion said.
For the first couple of days, the American Red Cross provided housing at the Evening Star Motel. Stepanion said in addition to food and clothing vouchers for Wal-Mart, the American Red Cross gave them a voucher to purchase furniture from the Salvation Army and the Lighthouse to help furnish their new apartments.
Watson and the university have aided each resident in finding a new residence. Warren and Boyd are now living at Pine Glenn Apartments. Derek is living with friends and Kinsley is staying with his girlfriend.
Debra Pincek, assistant to the vice president for student life administration, said she has offered each resident one week worth of meals through the university budget until today. Pincek said one student already has a meal plan.
Boyd said they have been so busy that as of Tuesday no one picked up their new ID cards. He said eating has not been a priority he said.
The Athletic Department donated sweats, sweatpants, T-shirts and towels, Athletic Director Paul Lueken said.
The SGA Bookstore also contributed by loaning books to the students.
The Phi Delta Omega fraternity is sponsoring a party to raise money for the residents on March 23 at 10 p.m. at Rock Garden.
"The support from the school has been outstanding," Boyd said.
"It goes to show you that the human experience still exists."
