A tornado ripped through a DePauw student's hometown of Holton, Indiana on March 2, leaving the town in shambles with an estimated $5 to $10 million worth of damages to pay. But students sprung into action.
Despite federal government covering the costs of rebuilding houses and buildings, more than 75 percent of uninsured residents are still left without any assistance to cover the costs of damages to their homes.
Holton resident freshman Emily Kaufman, along with other DePauw students, has been working to gain both awareness of and funds for Holton, tabling at the Union Building during lunch and planning a dinner to raise money. Kaufman hopes to raise at least $300 to donate to relief efforts.
"A majority of Holton residents lost nearly everything and I am fortunate to have not been through such a tragedy," Kaufman said. "I always strive to be the good Samaritan in my everyday life and even though I may not live in Holton, I still feel I have a duty to fulfill when fellow men and women are in need of help."
The state of Indiana has set up a recovery center in the community center of Holton where they are offering counseling, unemployment applications, food stamps, and other applications for the victims. The Red Cross is also helping to give out necessities to victims.
As of March 20, the town has shifted from the tornado clean up towards its recovery to rebuild.
Upon seeing Kaufman's dedication to and passion for the cause, her friends rallied around to help her efforts.
"I knew how upset she was when she saw everything she ever knew, destroyed," said freshman Carlie Vaughn. "Luckily, her house was spared, but a lot of others were completely damaged. I have been to Holton a few times with her and it broke my heart knowing that this quaint, quiet town had been uprooted from the tornado. I knew I just had to help."
Kaufman has also received a lot of support and help from members of her freshman mentor group.
"I wanted to help Emily out because I saw that she was truly passionate about helping the Holton victims. Seeing Emily rise up to the occasion and organize a meeting so quickly and efficiently truly displayed her level of maturity and leadership that is needed in a case like this," said sophomore Medjine Nzeyimana.
Sophomore Anna Butz sympathized with Kaufman's experience, as she was affected similarly by natural disaster a few years ago.
"My hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was hit by a flood a few years ago and though it may not have had the same devastating impact as the tornadoes in Holton and Henryville, I remember what it was like," Butz said. "Every dollar and every person helping out is so appreciated by the community, and I suppose that is what really inspired me to help Emily with this work."
Kaufman will wrap up her fundraising efforts on Friday, tabling at the Hub during lunch for the final time, followed by a dinner Friday evening. The dinner, sponsored by local Greencastle businesses Mama Nunz and Monical's Pizza Restaurant, will take place on Friday at the Hub on the terrace at 6 p.m. to raise money for Holton.
On Saturday morning, Kaufmann will be driving to Holton to present the community members with the money raised.