A fundraiser created to support the recovery of Russell Hollister ’26, who was critically injured in a motor vehicle accident Sept. 23, has received over 870 donations as of Oct. 7 and raised over $60,000 since its creation Sept. 26.
The GoFundMe was created by Christine Lorge, another St. Joe’s parent, to be used for medical bills, lodging and food, according to the GoFundMe’s description.
In an Oct. 6 update on the GoFundMe, Hollister’s mother, Kimberly Hollister, wrote, “Jim, Meredith, and I continue to be amazed by Russell’s strength and determination. He is fighting and making progress on this long road to recovery. Russell is now breathing on his own without any ventilator support. He also continues to respond through hand signals. We appreciate the support and prayers from friends and family near and far. Thank you all!”
Ross Radish, J.D., vice president of Student Life and dean of students, wrote in a Sept. 23 university announcement that Hollister has been receiving treatment in a local hospital.
Donations from Hollister have come from St. Joe’s students, their families and other community members. One community member touched by Hollister’s story who responded to the GoFundMe was Ian Rowe-Nicholls ’24, who was Hollister’s resistant assistant in McShain Hall during Hollister’s first year.
“He’s got a really good heart,” Rowe-Nicholls said. “He just genuinely cares about the people around him. He wants to do the right thing. He works towards doing the right thing. And for that reason, he has an impact on people.”
Rowe-Nicholls said he first saw the GoFundMe on Instagram, and, after hearing Hollister’s story, felt compelled to donate.
“I just felt called to share it out and just do whatever little thing I could to help,” Rowe-Nicholls said.
In an Oct. 1 update on the GoFundMe, Kimberly Hollister wrote that her family “continue[s] to be blessed – in the number of people praying for Russell’s recovery, offers of support, and in how hard Russell continues to fight.”
Kevin Schaffer ’26, who has been Hollister’s roommate since their first year, said he and his family felt similarly moved to contribute to the fundraiser. Schaffer called Hollister one of his “best friends” and said his family was looking for a way to show support.
“When I found out about what had happened, I talked to my parents pretty much right away,” Schaffer said. “We wanted to do something to show support for Russ, but also for his family, too. The main thing was, ‘How can we be there for them in as many ways as possible?’ The GoFundMe is very tangible. It’s able to help directly. So that was a no brainer, when deciding how [we can] offer support.”
In the current moment, the most important thing is prioritizing the care of Hollister and his family, Schaffer said.
“Russ’ health is the main focus,” Schaffer said. “His family’s well-being is also the main focus. They are what matters. They are what’s important right now.”
Schaffer said that, as a friend, it’s been motivating to see how the St. Joe’s community has united behind Hollister.
“Honestly, I was a little bit shocked when I saw how much money had been raised and how many people had donated,” Schaffer said. “But, at the same time, that’s what I expect from the St. Joe’s community. It’s really kind of encouraging to see. Not everybody knows Russ, not everybody is friends with him, but everybody has his back. There’s a group of people who don’t know him personally, [but] they’re still supporting him. It’s encouraging, as a student, to see that from your school.”
