Local College Community Opens Hearts...And Wallets For One Of Its Own

By Alexa Kuzmich

Dozens of purple and gold hearts adorn the windows of the Student Government Association at Stonehill College and even more students are brandishing purple wristbands in support of a fellow student.

Each heart bears the name of a student or faculty member who has donated money to help Lindsay Briggs, 22, of Carver, who received a double lung transplant on February 29, 2008.

The Student Government Association Executive Board worked with Pauline Dobrowski, the Reverend John Denning and the Reverend. Jim Fenstermaker to order purple wristbands engraved with the words “Lindsay Briggs” and “Cystic Fibrosis”. Each person that made a donation received a bracelet and a heart to write their name on.

Senior Kyndra Angell, executive board president, has known of Lindsay’s condition since freshman year when they had class together. When word of Briggs’ deteriorating health became well known on campus, Angell jumped to action, with the Student Government Association right behind her.

“Student Government is trying to help out in any way possible,” said Angell.

Briggs, who is a member of the class of 2008, suffers from cystic fibrosis. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, she is one of 30,000 children and adults who are afflicted by the disease in the United States.

Pauline Dobrowski, associate vice president of Student Affairs at Stonehill College, has been very active in pulling the community together to help Lindsay and her family.

“It’s been great that the Stonehill Community has come together to support one of our own,” said Dobrowski.

Since first word of Lindsay’s failing health hit the Stonehill campus, donations from the community have been pouring in. Campus ministry collected nearly $2,700 at weekly masses, the Student Government Association raised nearly $500 through the sale of their bracelets and hearts, and SODEXHO, the food service provider at Stonehill, made a donation of $1,000.

The community involvement doesn’t stop there. Ticket prices for student events have been raised in order to create funds to donate to Lindsay and her family.

Senior Brittany Topper, executive board programming coordinator, said the programming committee donated $2 for every ticket sold for Spring Weekend, one of the largest student run events on campus.

The carnival like weekend, which includes a live band, free food, rides and novelties, draws most of the Stonehill community together. This year, ticket sales raised over $2,000 for Lindsay. Topper said that number will be matched by Pauline Dobrowski, totaling over $4,000 for the Briggs family.

Senior Andi Shedlock, programming coordinator for the Class of 2008 lived in the same house on campus as Briggs during her junior year. Shedlock remembers Lindsay always offering a smile and often a cookie to everyone in need during the year that they lived together.

Shedlock said ticket prices for senior class events such were raised by a few dollars so that the committee could donate money to Briggs and her family.

“We felt that since Lindsay is a member of our class it would be a nice way for her to be honored and included even though she cannot attend the events, as well as help her family to be able to stay with her in Pennsylvania,” said Shedlock.

In addition to the Student Government Association and the senior class, Brother Mike’s, an on campus pub, hosted a fundraiser for Lindsay on April 12. Twenty-five percent of the night’s profits and personal donations totaling nearly $135 were donated to Lindsay through this event.
Laura Christo, program coordinator for Brother Mike’s said the event, which ran from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. was full of baseball, dancing and spending time with friends: all things that Lindsay loves. The Red Sox/Yankees game was playing on the big screen and a dance floor open and ready for anyone looking to bust a move.

“We are thrilled to be supporting Lindsay,” said Christo. She was contacted by Pauline Dobrowski in her effort to bring the Stonehill Community together in support of one of its members.

Senior Lauren Pincolini was not surprised to see how willing people were to donate a few extra dollars here and there to help.

“I liked the idea of SGA doing something for Lindsey and her family. I think that people were willing to pay a little extra to help her and her family out. I do think though that we might have been able to raise more money for them if we did not cap it on a few dollars extra for certain events. I think that some students would have donated more if they thought they could,” said Pincolini.

For students that are interested in donating more money, or who have not been able to donate thus far, a website has been created in honor of Lindsay. Students, faculty and community members can visit www.firstgiving.com/lindsaybriggs and donate using credit and debit cards.

According to Dobrowski, Lindsay is being honored at the upcoming Student Life Awards, a ceremony that recognizes students for their outstanding work on campus. Lindsay will be honored for her phenomenal work on the student run newspaper, The Summit.

Dorbowski said, come May 18, Lindsay will be back on Stonehill’s campus to celebrate Commencement with her friends and classmates.

“We have heard Lindsay will be here for graduation, so we’re very excited about that,” said Dorbowski.