A fatal fire claimed the lives of four family members on February 2, 2004 in Lowell, Indiana. A mother, her boyfriend and her twin girls were unable to escape the fire and were killed. Sources claim that a faulty cord started the blaze on the early Monday morning. A local newspaper ran an article requesting support from the local community for donations to help defray funeral costs. The Mortuary Science Club held a meeting to determine how they could help and decided to contribute $200.00 towards expenses.

"Since the development of the Club, we have held a few fundraisers. How appropriate to use a portion of the funds for community support", says Club Treasurer, Kyle Kutlik. "There have been many fires this season that have claimed lives and our Club wanted to help", says Stephanie Swetkey, Club President. Gary Williams, Club Vice-President stated that fires in the area have claimed many lives during this season, but when we saw that the fire claimed the lives of two toddlers, we knew we had to do something. In addition, family friends organized a benefit to help with funeral expenses. In addition, Sherry Shinkle, Club Secretary, states, "Being helpful in our communities in many different aspects is the focus of our Club. It is a tragedy what happened to the victims of the fatal fire and we send our deepest sympathies to their families as they struggle through recovery".

Pictured: Standing (L-R) Gary Williams, Vice-President;
Sherry Shinkle, Secretary; and Kyle Kutlik, Treasurer
Seated (L-R) Mr. Rick Soria, Program Chairman and Advisor
and Stephanie Swetkey, President