HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – On Feb. 13, 200 students were displaced from James Madison University after a fire broke out in a section of the Garber Hall residence hall. While many of the students have been able to go back to their rooms, the direct area of impact is still under investigation.
The university’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) has set up a GoFundMe to help the students most directly impacted. Anthony Connor, president of the IFC, said two College of Business students “lost everything.”
“Before we knew any of the students … we were just like, ‘How can we help out?’” Connor said. “The initial idea was to take the funds and then buy items that are needed in dorm life and then take them back to Garber Hall. Now, we have a better avenue to take with the money we’ve raised.”
Part of the donations to the GoFundMe will go into an emergency student relief fund through the school, the JMU Student Financial Emergencies Fund. Around $2,500 will go toward new laptops for the students, and the rest will be split between the students. They can use it toward new clothes, dorm supplies and other necessities.
Connor said the GoFundMe will be shut down soon, because as students, it’s easier to distribute money through the JMU Student Financial Emergencies Fund. Once the GoFundMe is shut down, Connor said another link will be available.
“We raised a lot more money than we were expecting, and we’re very thankful for all that donated to this cause,” Connor said. “I’ve actually talked to the two individuals … [The IFC is] just so thankful that we can provide a helping hand and get them back on their feet. I mean, they lost almost everything, so they’re appreciative.”
As of publication, the GoFundMe has raised $4,661, exceeding an original goal of at least $2,500.
