Rasmussen thankful for the support

March 24, 2004
By Katie Voelliger
Staff Writer

When there is a call for help from someone at St. Ambrose, it’s likely there will be a huge turnout. That is exactly what happened on March 1.

More than 900 people came hungry to the spaghetti benefit dinner, which was held in the Rogalski Center ballroom for Caroline Rasmussen. Rasmussen was injured in a skiing accident earlier this month. Her sixth and seventh vertebrae were broken, leaving her with little feeling below her waist. She is the retail manager for Sodexho, which is the food services contractor for St. Ambrose University. She also has two daughters.

“Overall the benefit was fantastic. We raised approximately $25,000 for Caroline,” Sodexho general manager Al Hayes said. “Nine hundred plus people came to the event. Sodexho workers gave their own time, no one was paid to work this event. Also, the Breakfast Lions and Mike Orbital attended and assisted. What a total team!”

Items were available for people to bid on during the auction, and a raffle took place. SAU departments, faculty and students donated items as well as community businesses and members. A total of 207 items were donated.

Donations for the dinner were accepted at the door. All money raised went to help airlift Rasmussen back to the Quad Cities and help pay for additional medical expenses. Since her medical care is expensive, an account has been set up. Additional donations can be made at Northwest Bank and Trust Company.

“The idea for this benefit came from her friends," Hayes said. "She has incurred heavy expenses from her accident. This was one way a combination of students, faculty, staff and community could help out."

Towards the end of the benefit, they made a phone call to Rasmussen’s hospital room, which was heard over the broadcast system. She was amazed when she heard about the turnout.

“I had no idea so many cared so much about me,” said Rasmussen. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

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