PEOPLE 122 Generosi earning a life lesson so soon into the school year was not something seniors [ngrid Osorio and Valerie Singleton saw coming. Osorio and Singleton ••w"nt to retrieve their belongings out of a rented storage unit Aug. 23. Expecting this trip to be like every other trip to storage they've made for the past three years, the two women found this trip to be the surprise of a lifetime - a bad surprise. When Osorio and Singleton arrived at their storage unit they discovered what was left of around $5,000 worth of personal belongings. The women found a UPS box with Singleton's name and address on it, a pair of pants, a T-shirt, a picture of Osorio and a shoe, which had a damaged lock inside. The unit also contained pieces of camouflage clothing, which did not belong to either of the women. Singleton called her mother soon after. Her mother called Campus Minister Dwight Smith, who went to the storage unit with Osorio and Singleton. Naturally, Singleton notified the police. "[The police] did less than nothing," Osorio said. "[The officer] didn't look for fingerprints or even go into the storage unit - Idid that. He said there was nothing he could do if we didn't have an exact list of what we lost with serial numbers." Before counting their losses, the women talked to the manager of the storage unit. The manager apologized. However, the only thing he could do was give back their $10 key deposit. "He said they do have insurteaches Storage theft experience leaves students feeling thankful SENIORS VALERIE SINGlETON AND INGRID OSORIO gon Sept 21 as they show off the dishes that an anonymous donor gave them. "It was ~ally nice that even in amoment like this there are people who will hel p out;'Osorio said. A. BEENE ance but the customer has to ask for it [in advance]," Singleton said. "I've stored my stuff there for three years, he's never offered us insurance once." Osorio and Singleton knew then that the fight to get their stuff back was a dead end. Those who knew Osorio and Singleton came together to help the women. Donations soon trickled in for the women. They eventually had new dishes, clothes, bedding and other dorm room necessities. "We have been so blessed," Singleton said. Peggy Huckeba, assistant dean of students, gave each girl $25 to spend on bedding. Campus Ministry supplied clothes and dishes through His House, a benevolent ministry of the College Church of Chris!. The women said the event was difficult, but they appreciated everything received. They said on top of appreciation, they learned that if s not material possessions that matter the most. "It taught me a lesson not to be attached to material stuff/' Singleton said. "It's the irreplaceable stuff you miss the mos!." AliSA MOLONEY / {
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