Penn State Alumni Launch Website To Help Victims
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There is a pride among Penn State students and alumni that is far more than lip service. It's felt in the heart, and that collective heart is aching.
"I think they feel betrayed, just like a family member would if it was someone in your family," Bob Oltmanns, PR Specialist, said.
Enter the "Proud to Be a Penn Stater," and right there on the homepage they tell you:
"We are a grassroots network of proud Penn State alumni, students, parents and fans, who are embarrassed and shocked by the recent events at Penn State...Here to stand up for the victims of abuse and help Penn Staters get their pride back, to ensure something like this never happens again -- anywhere," the website reads.
"I was sort of watching it when it started and donated right away," Oltmanns said.
And Oltmanns is far from alone. Using Facebook and tweets to spread the word, the site went live at 9 a.m. Thursday.
Five hours after it started they were already over $26,000. And the numbers have steadily climbed since.
"I think it's a healthy thing, I think it's part of the healing process," Oltmanns said.
The money raised is being sent through RAINN -- a national organization for rape and abuse victims.
"It's a subject most people don't want to talk about so I think if the students and alumni bring any kind of notoriety to this issue, I think it's a good thing," Alison Hall of Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, said.
The money will help fund counseling, advocacy, and helping victims.
And the website says it makes a statement that "Penn State is much, much bigger than the alleged actions of a few people."
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