By Michael Rickicki
Contributing Writer
In August, prolonged rainfall caused catastrophic flooding in Louisiana. The floods left thousands of homes in ruin from the damage, according to NBC News. CNN claims that the event was the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Even though the flooding occurred all the way across the country, one of St. Bonaventure University’s women’s basketball players has been directly affected by the disaster.
C’quoya Haughton, a junior forward, hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was driving with her family when the flood waters began filling her neighborhood.
“We pulled into our neighborhood and literally couldn’t drive down our road,” Haughton said.
She then got out of her car to see if the water had flowed into her house. When she got there, the water was halfway up her front door and rising.
“I tried to grab a few things but had to get out and the water was literally up to my chest,” Haughton said.
She had to swim back to her family who was waiting on the tailgate of their truck.
Haughton and her family lost many necessities and personal belongings. Their home was also devastated by the amount of water that had filled the house. The local fire department travelled by boat to rescue Haughton and her family along with many others impacted by the floods.
One of the hardest things for Haughton is that most of her belongings for school were lost in the flood. She is also struggling with being here while her family has to rebuild.
“My family is dealing with having to rebuild and completely start over and I could not help in any way because I’m in school across the country, and I do not have a job in order to send money back to them,” Haughton said.
When the team found out about Haughton’s situation, they felt the need to help. The team planned on collecting money and giving it to Haughton, but they decided to make a GoFundMe account.
“We came up with a better idea to start a GoFundMe account, because we thought it would raise more money for her and her family,” Gabby Richmond, a graduate student forward, said.
Richmond said that she was taken back when she heard that Haughton and her family were directly impacted by the flooding.
“Even though I just met C’quoya this past summer, I really felt for her and her family,” Richmond said.
She immediately felt the need to help her fellow teammate.
“I felt like we as a team should do anything we could to help her out financially and be there for her,” Richmond said.
The coaching staff has also contributed to the development of the fund.
The efforts to help Haughton and her family have come as a big surprise for Haughton.
“I was completely overwhelmed with happiness because this could go a very long way for my family,” Haughton said. “I was not expecting this and it is literally a blessing.”
Haughton has shown her gratitude to her teammates and the coaching staff. Coach Fleming stated in an interview that he hopes that the community here at St. Bonaventure will reach out and help Haughton and her family.
Haughton also said that the amount of money raised doesn’t matter.
“The fundraiser has lifted my family’s spirits so far and no matter the amount raised we are appreciative and are blessed for the community’s efforts,” Haughton said.
The GoFundMe account is open for anyone to donate. The team set a goal to reach $1,000 in the account. All the money raised will go to flood relief efforts.
rickicms16@bonaventure.edu
