Assistance Program Established for Tatiana Wilson & Family After Fire

The St. Bonaventure Department of Athletics, in conjunction with University Ministries, has established an assistance program to help the family of freshman women's basketball player Tatiana Wilson, whose house in Far Rockaway, Queens, was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning.

Wilson's mother and five younger siblings jumped from their second-story home into the arms of New York City Sanitation Department workers, who saw the flames from a distance and called 911.

Temeka, Wilson's mother, broke her back while trying to escape, sister Amari, 12, suffered a broken leg and sister Shaina, 17, suffered third-degree burns. The family lost everything in the fire.

University Ministries is accepting cash and checks on behalf of Wilson to help aid the family in its recovery. Checks should be made payable to "St. Bonaventure University," and the Memo line should read "Wilson Family Assistance Program." Cash/check donations should be directed specifically to the Wilson Family Assistance Program, and may be mailed to the following address:

University Ministries
c/o Wilson Family Assistance Program
Thomas Merton Center
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. 14778

In addition to monetary support, athletic department officials have organized a relief fund in which essential items may be donated to the family. Beginning on Sunday at the men's and women's basketball doubleheader, boxes will be set up at all entrances to accept donations.

Examples of items include, but are not limited to:
~ Clothing and shoes, ranging from casual to formal (see more information below)
~ Toiletries
~ School supplies
~ Navy blue slacks (as part of high school uniform)

Donation items may also be delivered to the Women's Basketball Office in the Reilly Center. Additionally, boxes will be set up at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester on Tuesday, Dec. 20, for the men's basketball game against NC State.

Items, other than cash/checks, can also be mailed to:

St. Bonaventure Women's Basketball
c/o Wilson Family Assistance Program
P.O. Box G, Reilly Center
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. 14778

If possible, it has been requested for the receipt of the item(s) being donated to also be sent. This will allow the family the opportunity to return and exchange articles of clothing which may not fit, in addition to any other items which malfunction.

The following is a breakdown of clothing sizes and other items as for each member of Wilson's family:

DJ (brother, 10)
Tops: Size 10-12
Pants: Size 10-12
Sneakers: Size 2 ½
*Toys (basketball); video games

Amari (sister, 12)
Tops: Small (adult); 14-16 (kids)
Coats: Small (women's)
Pants: Size 3
Sneakers: Size 5 ½

Destiny (sister, 12)
Tops: Size 14-16
Coats: Small (adult); 14-16 (kids)
Pants: Size 14-16
Sneakers: Size 4

Kema (sister, 16)
Tops: XL (adult)
Coats: XL
Pants: Size 13-14
Sneakers: Size 7 (men)

Shaina (sister, 17)
Tops: Small (adult)
Coats: Small (adult)
Pants: Size 1 or 2
Sneakers: Size 6 (men)

Temeka (mom)
Tops: Large
Coats: Large
Pants: Size 8-10
Boots: Size 9

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