Event benefits former student’s recovery

Monday marked the two-year anniversary of the brutal attack against former West Virginia University student Ryan Diviney.

Diviney, a student from Ashburn, Va., was attacked outside the Willey Street Dairy Mart Nov. 7, 2009, and remains in a coma-like state.

Following the attack, his family established a website called Ryan's Rally as a place for friends and loved ones to show support and make donations to support his future medical needs.

A benefit social at de Lazy Lizard on Thursday at 8 p.m., sponsored by Ryan's Rally, the Golden Finch restaurant, Media Foundations and Sigma Alpha Mu Epsilon, will work to raise money for Ryan's Trust Fund.

"It is our mission to organize a grass-roots type of fundraiser in order to give back to a member of the Mountaineer and Morgantown community," said Dave Small, WVU Student Government Association Director of Safety, who is also supporting the event.

Small has been an active member of Ryan's Rally since the accident, and he said he hopes the event helps spread awareness of Diviney's story.

"The goal of the fundraising events is not only to raise awareness of this act of violence, but also to assist in the fundraising for the Diviney family," Small said.

"It's important to create awareness because in the past couple years, it seems as if the bar fights, and the crime in Morgantown has risen due to the consumption of alcohol."

Small said by continuing to keep the community informed about Diviney's story, Morgantown has the potential to become a safer environment for students and residents.

"Our goal is to create awareness that, as citizens of Morgantown, we do not support the violence that happens in our town. We support, and try to create, a more safe environment for students and citizens of Morgantown to live," Small said.

Small said he and other members of Ryan's Rally will continue to support Diviney in any way they can, and they encourage other fellow WVU students to do the same.

"When you have damage to the brain, the process of healing takes a lot of time," Small said. "He's slowly improving, which is great, but we've still got to keep pushing and praying for his efforts to get better."

The event is free, but donations are accepted. Cash or check donations will go directly to Ryan's Trust Fund.

The money raised will be used by the Diviney family in their mission to care for their only son.

De Lazy Lizard event is open to ages 18 and up until 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., only those 21 and older will be allowed inside. Attendees of the event are asked to wear semi-formal attire.

The Golden Finch will provide food for the event, preparing some of Diviney's favorite foods.

The Golden Finch will also host a family-oriented fundraiser Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and all meal sales will benefit Ryan's Trust Fund.

For more information, visit www.ryansrally.org.