Southern Wesley University Helps Student, Family After Fire

After Billie Jean Smith’s family lost all of their belongings in a house fire, Southern Wesleyan University’s Staff Council gathered donations of clothing, money and appliances to help them recover from their loss.

Krista Coots, center, Central site assistant, presents to Smith, left, a padfolio containing $1,200 in gift cards as Greg Young, Central admissions coordinator, looks on.

“This is amazing,” Smith said. “I would have never in a million years thought this would happen.

The Staff Council sponsored a day where employees made donations in exchange for wearing blue jeans and “Warrior Blue” to work Feb. 8. Smith also received help from classmates and local churches, donating furniture and other necessities.

“SWU is not just an institution, it’s a family,” said Regina Bolding, assistant registrar and member of the Staff Council. 

“God has really blessed me coming to school here,” Smith commented. Smith, who recently became a Christian, is currently enrolled in the Human Services degree program at Central and hopes to someday become a drug and alcohol counselor.