Well known for its service to the community and its mission to develop transformational servant leaders, Bluefield College will be receiving new furniture for one of its residence halls later this summer. Deciding what to do with the current residence hall furniture, BC officials said, was a no-brainer considering the loss and the need in West Virginia.
“While no one could have predicted the timing of last week’s storm and surely would have never wished to see the loss of life and property as caused by the flooding, Bluefield College is miraculously in a unique situation to help those whose lives have been devastated by the storm,” said BC president Dr. David Olive. “Earlier in the spring we made the decision to purchase new furniture for Rish Hall, and now with furnishings we no longer need, we are in a position of being able to be a blessing to those who have lost much, if not all, of their life possessions.”
In fact, the school will be sending approximately 100 dressers, 80 chairs, 90 desks, 15 beds, 20 mattresses, and 150 shelves to the flood victims.
“With renovations occurring in Rish Hall and in light of the recent circumstances in West Virginia, we are very happy to meet the needs of so many by donating the residence hall furniture,” said BC’s Emily Wingfield, director of residence life and summer programs. “Many have lost everything. So to have the ability to donate beds, mattresses, desks, and dressers at just this time is really Divine intervention.”
Joining the college in the effort will be the City of Bluefield, West Virginia, the Town of Bluefield, Virginia, and Rotary of Bluefield, West Virginia. Workers and volunteers from those three organizations will join members of the BC family on Friday, July 1 at 9:30 a.m. to remove the nearly 400 pieces of furniture from Rish Hall on the Bluefield campus. The city and the town will then store the furniture and make arrangements to transport the items when service agencies at the flood sites are ready to receive the donations.
“Community partners, like Bluefield College, and civic-oriented individuals, like Rotarians, were key to making this project possible,” said Josh Cline, assistant city manager for the City of Bluefield. “Providing assistance during this time of need is something that didn’t take a second thought.”
Local churches, civic clubs and other residents are invited to join the cause by helping volunteers remove the furniture from BC’s Rish Hall. Simply show up ready to help at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 1.
“We hope these items meet some of the immediate needs of the individuals who receive them,” said Dr. Olive, “and we pray the items will begin to bring hope back into their lives as they begin to rebuild their homes and communities.”