A week has passed since the tragic bus accident, but the efforts of support have not let up.
Nikki’s Swirl Shoppe is conducting a fundraiser Saturday from noon through 11 p.m. to show support and raise funds for the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
“The first Nikki’s Swirl Shoppe was the location on Judge Ely. ACU has had a big impact – most of the employees are from ACU,” said Jordan Abshier, Nikki’s assistant manager and junior marketing major from San Antonio. “We are just trying to give back to the community. Obviously, this has affected pretty much the whole city, and this our chance to give back to the community to raise funds and help out.”
Nikki’s will donate 10 percent of the day’s proceeds to the family and victims affected by the accident. Additional donations will also be accepted.
The main fundraising event will take place at the Nikki’s Judge Ely location, but the Catclaw location will also donate 10 percent of its profits. The event will include music and raffle drawings.
But, Nikki’s Swirl Shoppe isn’t the only fundraising initiative in progress.
A group of students are currently making and selling bracelets to benefit the family of Anabel Reid, the only fatality of the accident.
“Anabel was a fan of the survival bracelets and wanted to buy one right before she died,” said Colt Lockhart, sophomore convergence journalism major from Merkel.
Reid had seen a survival bracelet attached to a friend’s backpack and said she would purchase one the next week, he said. Lockhart and his friends gave the pink and purple bracelet to Anabel’s mother.
“Now in memory of Anabel, we are going to be making these survival bracelets in these colors and selling them. All the money from it will go to benefit Anabel’s family,” Lockhart said.
The bracelets will be sold Monday through Thursday in the Campus Center for a minimum $5 donation. The pink and purple bracelets are made of woven parachute chord.
Hardin-Simmons graduates are also joining the fundraising force. Local musician and recent HSU graduate Michael Whisenhunt caught wind of the tragic news and decided to organize the “Funded the Farmers” benefit concert. The concert will take place tonight in the Old Hamby Gym at 6 p.m.
“Friday when I heard all the news, I just had this idea to put on a fundraiser concert,” Whisenhunt said.
The concert will feature Erin’s Charm, Blinded by Bears with Lawton Pybus, Daniel Hixon, The Swindlers, 21 in June and the Kirk House Band.
A $10 entry fee is suggested. Additional donations can be made at the concert to support students and families.
Whisenhunt said the goal of this fundraiser is to ease the financial burden this accident has placed on families so they can spend more time being together.
To donate financially or find other ways to serve the cause, visit blogs.acu.edu/iwanttohelp/.
