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Friends Rally to Assist Two Graduate Students

Students lost belongs Monday when townhouse burned

Duke graduate students Leyna DeNapoli and Jo Anna Wiersma lost their townhome in a fire on Monday, Sept. 14. Everyone escaped uninjured, but no belongings could be salvaged.

A friend, Hilary Wade, has made the following arrangements for members of the Duke community who would like to offer help either through monetary or furniture donation:

* Wade has coordinated with Duke University Federal Credit Union (FCU) to set up a joint fund for DeNapoli and Wiersma. Monetary donations (checks) can be sent to Duke FCU (2200 West Main Street, Suite L 100, Durham, NC 27705), care of either Leyna DeNapoli or Jo Anna Wiersma. On the memo line, people should reference the DeNapoli & Wiersma Fund.

* Individuals (and local businesses) have offered to donate clothing and furniture. However, at this early stage, Leyna and Jo Anna have no idea what items will be replaced or covered by insurance, and what/when they will need to furnish their temporary lodgings. However, they don't want to turn down any offers yet, so a website (http://leynaandjoannashouseburneddown.com/) has been established where people will be able to post name, contact info, and descriptions for any furniture items and clothes that they would like to donate.

When Leyna and Jo Anna know more about their needs, they can sift through the offers and accept only what they need & have room for, Wade said.