ERIE, Pa. - On Monday, January 4th, moments before going to bed,
John Rush and his wife Karen escaped from their ranch as an electrical fire engulfed their home and all their possessions. Both John and Karen, as well as their "kids" (two dogs and twelve horses) are safe, however, their home, which they built from the ground up, and everything inside, was lost that night.
John and Karen have been core members of the Mercyhurst Rowing program for more than eighteen years. John serves as the team's boatman and novice coach while Karen fills the role of co-pilot for John to and from regattas. John and Karen have contributed more to the Mercyhurst Rowing program than most would realize. The Rushes are not the kind of people to seek recognition for all they have done, and they are not the kind of people to ask for help, even in the face of a crisis. They are the kind of people that when faced with disaster, are still worried about building slings for the boats, and baking over 100 muffins for the team's upcoming winter training trip.
Everyone needs a John and Karen Rush in their lives, whether it is in the boathouse, erg room, just down the road, or only a phone call away. The Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company is collecting donations which will help fund a benefit for John and Karen. The community has already surpassed our goal of $2000, but like any good rowing program, we are not satisfied with just getting to the medal stand, especially when we have a shot at grabbing gold. Please help us demolish our $2000 goal, and support two people who could not be more deserving.
The benefit will take place on January 31st from 12PM to 4PM at the Wattsburg Fire Hall. Entry is $10, and all proceeds will go towards John and Karen.
Please contact Trista Plott (814)881-2383 or Mark Landon (814)323-7863 if you would like to contribute any items for the Chinese Auction or volunteer in the kitchen.
Wattsburg Fire Hall
9617 North St,
Wattsburg, PA 16442
Donations can be made at GoFundMe :
https://www.gofundme.com/d5xhf66cOriginal News Story:
http://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/fire-destroys-home
