Sandy Moses, Staff Writer

Hurricane Irma was a disaster that affected many in communities within Florida and outside of them as well. Florida firefighter Robert Cambel took the time out of his day during this disaster to help others, but when he returned home he found his own house had been destroyed by the storm.

Greek organizations at Utica College, such as Alpha Chi Rho, decided to start a supply drive to show their appreciation to Cambel and his good deeds.

“I think the drive was extremely generous,” junior and member of Alpha Chi Rho John Gebert said. “A man that was occupied helping other families came home to find that everything his family had was gone. It is a depressing thought. But overall, I think the supply drive went pretty well. We got a good amount of donations, and a lot of people expressed their emotions toward the drive and gave us a lot of respect and they appreciated what we were doing, especially the professors.”

Sophomore and Alpha Chi Rho member Dominic Fiorini was pleased with how the supply drive turned out.

“Hurricane Irma was horrible and a lot of people lost their lives and their homes got destroyed, including Robert Cambel’s,” Fiorini said. “A lot of people donated to help the Cambel family. Our president even went on the radio and talked about it to help raise money. We tabled in front of cafe during the week and a lot of students donated to help.”

Alpha Chi Rho was the only organization that was involved in this drive and it exceeded the original funding goal.

“We did a supply drive to support Robert Cambel and his family,” Junior and Alpha Chi Rho president Larz Forsyzh said. “He was out helping others during hurricane Irma when he returned to his home to find it completely demolished. We teamed up with a variety of firefighters and police departments and gathered clothing and monetary donations.  Our goal was to raise $500 for him and his family and at the end we raised $755.  Overall, it was very successful.”

Members from the organization are very appreciative of the generosity of the Utica community, but wish that more people would get involved to help when people are in need.

“Many lives were ruined, and I wish more people would take the time to help these people in need,” Fiorini said.