May 20, 2004 Print this page

La Salle University Fraternity Raises Funds
for Olney Family Devastated by Arson Attack

A comedy concert held by La Salle University’s Sigma Phi Lambda fraternity raised nearly $2,000 for the family of Alexis Santiago, a La Salle student from Olney who died in a fire last fall.

According to the police, the fire was caused by arson. Santiago and several relatives perished and the home was destroyed. For a short while, the surviving family members were living in a church basement.

A freshman in La Salle’s Bilingual Undergraduate studies for Collegiate Advancement Program (BUSCA), Santiago died three days after the fire. The BUSCA program is designed for Spanish-speaking students.

“Since 1935, Sigma Phi Lambda has been a LaSalle fraternity,” said fraternity member Adam Voisard. “Alexis Santiago was a student in the La Salle BUSCA Program, and thus a member of the Lasallian community. When we became aware that the Santiago family, members of the Lasallian community, were in need, we decided to provide whatever help we could to the family.”

Three comedians-- Chris Morris, Eric Roth, and David Kayle -- performed at the University’s Dan Rodden Theatre. In addition to ticket sales, the fraternity accepted contributions to help the family.