Winter term wrapped up at Linn-Benton Community College just in time for the holidays, but before closing the doors to the Bookstore, manager Lawrence LaJoie had one more thing to do. Money raised by Bookstore staff needed to be delivered to the UCC Strong Victim Relief Fund. In the days before Christmas, LaJoie gave a gift of compassion as he clicked "submit" — a gift from one community to another.
LaJoie spent two days on the Umpqua Community College campus during its first week open after the Oct. 1 tragedy. He, along with many other volunteers, offered their time in any way that would be of use. Some answered phones to keep up with media inquiries. Some helped in Human Resources as they dealt with insurance paperwork. LaJoie worked in their bookstore, which was swamped with vendors donating goods for the UCC Strong campaign, and with customers coming to buy them.
While on campus he saw injured students returning to school in wheelchairs or on crutches. The building where events unfolded still had yellow caution tape around it. A hand-holding circle formed in the courtyard one day, where dozens of people joined together in memory of those not returning.
"There was a huge sense of community, of camaraderie," he said. "I didn't really hear conversations about it. It was more of an unspoken bond."
Micque Shoemaker, UCC Bookstore manager, was relieved by the help of LaJoie and other volunteers that rallied in support. Their presence allowed employees to take breaks in order to compose themselves.
LaJoie spent two days on the Umpqua Community College campus during its first week open after the Oct. 1 tragedy. He, along with many other volunteers, offered their time in any way that would be of use. Some answered phones to keep up with media inquiries. Some helped in Human Resources as they dealt with insurance paperwork. LaJoie worked in their bookstore, which was swamped with vendors donating goods for the UCC Strong campaign, and with customers coming to buy them.
While on campus he saw injured students returning to school in wheelchairs or on crutches. The building where events unfolded still had yellow caution tape around it. A hand-holding circle formed in the courtyard one day, where dozens of people joined together in memory of those not returning.
"There was a huge sense of community, of camaraderie," he said. "I didn't really hear conversations about it. It was more of an unspoken bond."
Micque Shoemaker, UCC Bookstore manager, was relieved by the help of LaJoie and other volunteers that rallied in support. Their presence allowed employees to take breaks in order to compose themselves.
"It was so unexpected to have distant colleagues reach out who I had never met in person, many who I didn’t even know existed, show up and do whatever it took to get us back on our feet again," said Shoemaker. "It renewed my faith in the human spirit, which had taken a big blow just days earlier."
Upon his return to the LBCC campus, LaJoie and his staff wanted to coordinate a fundraiser, and based off his recent experience, felt UCC Strong would garner support from the LBCC community. In a joint effort with the Benton Center Bookstore, they decided to ask every customer to donate $1 to the fund. Those that donated received a raffle ticket for free coffee and fountain drinks for all of 2016.
LaJoie was surprised by the response.
"It was immediate and overwhelming. A dollar isn't too much to ask and everyone thought it was a worthy cause," he said.
At the end of the two-week effort 240 individual donations were made totaling $282.37.
Micheal McDaniel, an anthropology student dual-enrolled at OSU, held the winning raffle ticket. He received a special ordered traveler's tumbler to bring in for his drink of choice next year. He predicted it would most likely be coffee.
"I donated simply because I like to help where I can. It wasn't much, and I wish I could have done more," McDaniel said.
All money donated will be applied to scholarship funds established in the names of the nine who lost their lives. Donations can still be made on the UCC website.
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