CSU helps player, family back on feet after fire

It’s not hard to miss the big tattoo on Austin Bloedoorn big right arm. There in bold letters reads the Serenity Pray,

“God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. “

Now more than ever, that prayer rings true for both Bloedoorn and his family. On November 7th, he received a phone call to come home. His mom’s dream house was on fire.

“I immedietly turned back around, sped back to the house and there was ambulances, fire trucks. I was in shock.“

No one died but the house was beyond repair.

“We had history on the family, who we are and who we come from; all that was lost in the fire.“

The Bloedoorn family lost a lot but it did not lose the support of Charleston Southern. Almost immediately a number of people stepped up for the family. Austin’s foodball team dropped of funds at a local church, and a campus sorority helped find clothes for the family.

“When we heard the story,‘ recalled Kiki Wilson of Sigma Gamma Rho. “It was a great opportunity to help someone in need.“

Hundreds of dollars in clothes and supplies have already for raised for the family. They hope to continue to find aid until the Bloedoorn find a more permanent residence.

Meanwhile, Bloedoorn found his greatest comfort zone back on the football field with his other family. His teammates were more than there for him during these tough times.

“I think it’s drawn a close knit team even closer together,“ said coach Jay Mills.

Even though he lost a lot, Bloedoorn still feels he’s the luckiest guy in the world.

“We are blessed to have good people in the community, Charleston Southern, it’s really a family here.“