The Westminster College community joined the many local and out-of-town people who have come forward with donations for the family of Rudy and Lizzie Wengerd.

On Dec. 3 the Wengerd family lost five of their nine children -- Katie, 14; Levi, 12; Neal, 11; John, 4; and Jonathan, 2 -- and their Pulaski Township home and contents in a fire sparked by the house's coal- and wood-burning furnace.

Students, faculty, administration and staff at the college in New Wilmington made a $3,066 donation Wednesday to the Wengerd family, which includes surviving children Anna, 16; Gideon, 15; Donnie, 9; and Emma, 6.

A second donation of $1,278 will be made next week to the Wengerds. That money is half of the offering collected at Christmas vespers. The school will continue to collect any additional money for the rest of the week to add to the second donation.

To make a donation, call Linda Stewart Savage at (724) 646-2550. Also, an auction will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hermitage Fire Station on Highland Road to raise funds for the Wengerd family.