JMU students light up a life
By Alex Hilton, contributing writer
Posted on November 9, 2006

A group of JMU students are giving back to their community by educating both students and Harrisonburg residents and raising money for domestic violence.

Team Rad College Kids, a group of communication studies students, have organized “Light up a Life,” a fund-raising event for the organization “First Step, A Response to Domestic Violence.” Team RCK, made up of five students, organized the event for their organizational communication class.

The group includes juniors Lindsay Abbott, Jonathan Layman, Sarah Mills and Kaleigh King, and senior Kaitlin Parker, who worked with Nancy Rollman and their professor, Toni Whitfield, to put on the event. Rollman, Team RCK’s client, owns and operates an arts-and-crafts boutique called The Cottage on South Avenue in Harrisonburg, which is where the event will be held.

“It was originally Mrs. Rollman’s idea to support First Step, but I can speak on behalf of all my teammates when I say that we have taken ownership and pride in our work toward this event,” Layman said, “especially as we have learned about what First Step stands for and the resources they provide.”

First Step, which has been in operation since 1979, is designed to provide shelter, counseling and education for women who are victims of domestic abuse.
“Raising recognition for First Step is very important because many people have connections either with family or friends who are victims of domestic violence,” Parker said.

Layman agreed.

“When we were exposed to the staff’s passion concerning domestic violence,” he said, “Team RCK was moved to create an evening called ‘Light Up A Life.’”

“Light Up A Life” is being held Nov. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. Activities include a silent auction, live acoustic music by 80 One Records’ Doug Roberts, and a representative from First Step providing information on the issue of women’s violence. The event cost is $5 and all proceeds go to First Step.

“I am so excited for this event, and I would love to see JMU rally around this organization to do whatever we can to help them change lives — not just on Nov. 11, but on a long-term basis,” Layman said.