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In the midst of homework, exams and presentations, Sam Houston State University students took time out of their busy lives to raise more than $2,000 to help a town in need.
Bearkats rallied together last weekend to help the town of West, Texas, recover from an industrial explosion that killed 14 residents, injured 200 and destroyed more than 50 homes and business buildings.
Metrisa Wagner, president of KHRASH (Kinesiology, Health, Recreation Association for Sam Houston) said she wanted to join forces with other organizations so that a bigger impact could be made in helping the citizens of West recover.
“We are really grateful for all of the donations,” Wagner said, “We are really grateful that the student body, the staff and faculty stepped up and the corporation we had with the administrationàthey have shown so much support to make this student initiative happen.”
While KHRASH organized the fundraiser, 14 other organizations joined the cause, taking their respective buckets around campus collecting as much money as they could.
Even though the purpose of the fundraiser is to raise money for the residence of West, students still took the opportunity to have a friendly competition to see who could raise the most money in one day.
Block & Bridle, an animal science organization, placed first, collecting more than $400. Psi Chi came in second by raising more than $200, and Raven Films were third, collecting more than $100.
Other participating organizations were Student Nurse Association, APICS, SGA, Zeta Phi Beta, Lambda Chi Alpha, Omega Phi Chi, Lambda Theta Alpha, With A Grain of Salt and an individual participant, Alex Cuevas.
Robert Ferguson, a sophomore biology student and SGA senator at SHSU, said he is proud of his fellow Bearkats and their efforts to help families like his. Ferguson said he has family in West who’s home was destroyed in the explosion.
After raising money on campus, students traveled to West to hand-deliver the aid
Donations to the town of West can be made through KHRASH or the Department of Student Activities.