Students and SPCA team up to raise money for West Chester fire victims

Annie McCormick Image
Friday, December 8, 2017
Volunteers continue effort to help senior center fire victims
Volunteers continue effort to help senior center fire victimsVolunteers continue effort to help senior center fire victims. Annie McCormick reports during Action News at 5pm on December 7, 2017.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- Volunteers are continuing the effort to help the victims of the senior center fire in West Chester, Pa.

The blaze erupted more than three weeks since a massive blaze tore through the Barclay Friends Senior Center.

Update on West Chester nursing home fire: Bob Brooks reports on Action News at 6 p.m., November 20, 2017

Four people were killed and dozens more were injured. Authorities say an investigation continues into the cause.

"It was heart-wrenching to watch. We turned on the news and we sat and criend about it, then we were like 'What can we do about it?'" said West Chester University sophomore Aria Swanson.

She is one of the college students who volunteered at the center and bonded with many of the residents.

"The advice we learn from them is incredible, so we want to make sure we give back," said junior Archana Chung.

Donations needed for West Chester fire victims. Trish Hartman reports during Action News at 6 a.m. on November 19, 2017.

Volunteers at the Brandywine SPCA also have a connection. Every week they bring puppies around to cheer up the residents.

On Thursday, the students and the SPCA teamed up to collect admission from students and the public to pet and adopt the puppies.

The line was out the door.

The night of the fire, neighbors jumped into action to aid the rescue effort. Since then the fundraising has been steady, and the needs are specific. That includes dentures, hearing aids and glasses that they don't have the money to replace.

Students and the SPCA say more fundraising is planned.

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