Spring Break
Band of Brothers helps out fire victim
Kim Larezza
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: News
When fire victim James Arcelay walked into the college's Enrollment Center on March 12, the business cards of his friends comprised most of his remaining valuables.
When he walked out, he had a few more phone numbers of organizations that could help him, plus a check for $1,000.
"What you're doing is a lot," Arcelay told the members of the Band of Brothers before the check reception in the center's conference room.
The Band of Brothers, a NCC club, presented the check to Arcelay, an NCC student and Army Reservist. The 51-year-old lost all of his belongings in a February fire that gutted his apartment in Allentown's center city.
The Band of Brothers began fundraising to benefit their fellow veteran. Members began collecting donations in the campus cafeteria and College Center lobby, and placed donation boxes in the book store.
The final day of fundraising, which netted $300 of the $1,000, was filled with baked goods being carted around to faculty offices and work spaces, says Jenni Smith, vice president of the Band of Brothers.
One member of the group said he would give Arcelay all of his furniture.
Arcelay said he is thankful for all that NCC is doing for him in his time of need. "A lot of doors closed, I didn't expect anything to take place. I didn't know groups took action."
Arcelay sees a positive in his adversity. "All I lost is material, paperwork. I'm happy I got stripped of that stuff."
Arcelay attributes his upbeat attitude to one of his beliefs. "I learn from tragedies. Everything positive has a negative, and everything negative has a positive."
The reservist mentioned his interest in creating housing for homeless veterans. "I know carpenters and plumbers that would help with this."
Arcelay said that he wants people to educate themselves politically so everyone will have the power and means to carry themselves through a tragedy.
The people who control things know politics, and students should, too, he said.
He has found mercy and generosity in NCC, Arcelay said. "I think colleges are our futures, and NCC is the answer."
When he walked out, he had a few more phone numbers of organizations that could help him, plus a check for $1,000.
"What you're doing is a lot," Arcelay told the members of the Band of Brothers before the check reception in the center's conference room.
The Band of Brothers, a NCC club, presented the check to Arcelay, an NCC student and Army Reservist. The 51-year-old lost all of his belongings in a February fire that gutted his apartment in Allentown's center city.
The Band of Brothers began fundraising to benefit their fellow veteran. Members began collecting donations in the campus cafeteria and College Center lobby, and placed donation boxes in the book store.
The final day of fundraising, which netted $300 of the $1,000, was filled with baked goods being carted around to faculty offices and work spaces, says Jenni Smith, vice president of the Band of Brothers.
One member of the group said he would give Arcelay all of his furniture.
Arcelay said he is thankful for all that NCC is doing for him in his time of need. "A lot of doors closed, I didn't expect anything to take place. I didn't know groups took action."
Arcelay sees a positive in his adversity. "All I lost is material, paperwork. I'm happy I got stripped of that stuff."
Arcelay attributes his upbeat attitude to one of his beliefs. "I learn from tragedies. Everything positive has a negative, and everything negative has a positive."
The reservist mentioned his interest in creating housing for homeless veterans. "I know carpenters and plumbers that would help with this."
Arcelay said that he wants people to educate themselves politically so everyone will have the power and means to carry themselves through a tragedy.
The people who control things know politics, and students should, too, he said.
He has found mercy and generosity in NCC, Arcelay said. "I think colleges are our futures, and NCC is the answer."
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