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Hays Web site rallies to benefit former television anchor injured in Wichita crashBy KALFV LYONHays Daily NewsExactly one month after KWCH reporter Alarm Rocha was seriously injured in a Wichita car accident, a group of Kansans several hours away from the scene decided to take action.The 67601.com members hosted a bake sale and raffle fundraiser to benefit Rocha Saturday.“I just thought it would be a nice way to do something for someone that was such a big part of our community,” said Renee Seltmann, who came up with the idea for the fundraiser after viewing a discussion about the accident on 67601. com. “It’s neat because not very many people know her, and most of us don’t know each other.”That’s because the majority of the group’s communicating is done via screen names on the Internet.In fact, Seltmann and two other key players in event planning, Jaime Depenbusch and Shawndra Albers, knew each other only by screen name until a few months ago. When theyagreed to get together to plan the fundraiser, they were surprised to discover that they had been acquaintances for years, Seltmann said.Michael Fischer founded the Web site in July 2006 to provide local residents with a public forum and more in-depth opinions regarding local events.''It’s a pretty active site,” Fischer said. “I think Hays Daily did a good job delivering the news to people, but I wanted to take it one step further and allow people to comment on news stories. It’s a matter of allowing everybody to kind of express their thoughts and views.”Saturday's event, the first community function hosted by 67601.com, raised $945. However, it’s hoped this endeavor could be the first of many, Fischer said.More than 200 baked goods were donated by Web site members, and a variety of raffle prizes were donated by 12 local businesses. There also was a jar set up to collect cash donations and patrons were encouraged to sign a massive get-well card, which will be sent to Rocha and her family.Proceeds will help her family offset hospital bills and other expenses.Rocha’s car was struck on Feb, 24at the intersection of First and Hydraulic. Rocha spent weeks in serious condition at Wichita’s Via Christi St. Francis Medical Center, and recently was transported,by air ambulance to her hometown of Tampa, Fla. She’s now undergoing physical rehabilitation.Before relocating to Wichita, Rocha was a reporter for KBSH 7 in Hays.• Additional donations can be sent to: Alana Rocha Gift Fund, c/q Intrust Bank, P.O. Box I, Wichita,KS 67201.Reporter Ka/ey Lyon can he reached st (785) 623-7001 Ext. 138, or by 9-mM at klyon@cl8Uynsws.net.
Newspaper Details
The Hays Daily News
Hays, Kansas, US
Sun, Mar 25, 2007
Page 42
Full Page
Clipped by
Salina P.
KS, USA 20 Sep 2023
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