A benefit for former West Virginia University student Ryan Diviney was held at de Lazy Lizard Thursday night to help Diviney's family with his medical bills and to increase awareness of campus safety.
Diviney was brutally attacked outside of the Willey Street Dairy Mart in 2009 and remains in a coma-like state.
The benefit was sponsored by Ryan's Rally, a website founded by his family for friends to place donations and show their support.
Diviney's sister, Kari, said she and her family are grateful for the support they have received from the Morgantown community over the past two years.
"I call it my home away from home. I am constantly surrounded by support and people that care," she said.
"Any support means so much to us, not just money – but love," she said. "It's so nice to know that two years later people still care and show support to our family."
WVU Student Government Association Director of Safety Dave Small said it's important to spread awareness of Diviney's story in order to promote a safer campus environment.
"A lot of students are new on campus and haven't even heard about what happened. We want to tell the story of Ryan because this could happen to anyone," Small said.
Small, who after hearing Diviney's story became inspired to increase campus safety efforts, said his story speaks volumes about the potential dangerous situations on campus.
"The sheer fact that the incident happened 15 feet away from campus speaks to the need of an increased awareness," he said.
Small said it's important for the student body to keep Diviney in their thoughts and continue to tell his story to others.
"We want those who are students now to show their support for a former student," he said. "You know like they say, ‘Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.'"
The Golden Finch will also donate a portion of its profits today and Saturday to the Diviney family.
For more information, visit www.ryansrally.org.
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