Coker College rallies around burned out student

Tragedy struck the family of an incoming freshman at Coker College just days before she was to move on campus. Fire destroyed her family home and all of their belongings.

After the fire, her ability to participate in the Coker experience was seriously threatened.

Ke’Era Bennett of Sumter said only 45 minutes after leaving her home they got word it had burned.

“The fire started in my room,” Bennett said. “You couldn’t event tell I had a bed. Everything was black.”

She came to school with the few donations she received from family and church members; however, as soon as word reached students, faculty and staff, they began to rally around her.

Bennett was given a comforter and other linens for her bed, clothes, shoes, purses, book shelves and other necessities for dorm life.

The college freshman said that, as she walked around school, other students stopped her and called her to come to their rooms to pick up things they wanted to give her. She said people put things out and told her take whatever she wanted that fit. She said they told her anything she needed and didn’t have they would do their best to get it.

“I was very surprised,” Bennett said. “I cried. It was so overwhelming. I just had to let it out.”

The chemistry major said she has settled in at school.

As far as clothes and other such necessities, Bennett said, “I think I’m good.”

She said her family is still not on its feet, but every day it is getting better. She said they are living with an aunt. Bennett said her mother is very ill, and the family, which includes a brother attending Lander College, is supported by their grandmother.

When her family learned of the support Ke’Era was getting from Coker College, she said, “My mom was crying, and my grandmother said she prayed for something like this. She is very spiritual.”

Bennett said, “Now they just love Coker.”

A graduate of Crestwood High School in Sumter, Bennett said she came to an open house at Coker and fell in love with the school. She liked the homey atmosphere, the small class sizes and the individual attention small class sizes allow.

“I’m just a country girl,” Bennett said. “I love the atmosphere. I just feel at home.”

Since the outpouring of support from everyone at Coker College, Bennett said that opinion has definitely moved up a notch or two.

“I am heartened by the tremendous outpouring of support from all members of the Coker family,” Coker College President Dr. Robert L. Wyatt said. “While not surprised, I am incredibly humbled by this response and am thankful to call myself a member of the Coker community.”

In addition to providing immediate needs, Coker College recognized the financial burden now placed on her family.

Christian Stryker, director of Media Relations and Sports Information at Coker College, said Coker College reached out to alumni and supporters for help. The college has started an emergency fund called the Coker Student Emergency Fund to help Bennett and other students who have similar emergencies.

Stryker said a student last year needed a plane ticket home and didn’t have the funds. That is the type of emergency this fund would cover.

He said they hope they don’t have these types of disasters too often, but now Coker is on tract to help if one should occur. He said people have been generous thus far; however, they are still accepting donations.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should call (843) 383-8014. Checks, made out to Coker College, c/oStudents Emergency Fund, should be mailed to Coker College Office of Institutional Advancement 330 E. College Ave, Hartsville, SC 29550.