做厙惇蹋app Magazine Their Support Survives a Trial by Fire
Jerry & Marian Groff
Marian Lorenz Groff 59 lost her home of 46 years in the Tea Fire last fall. It exploded like a volcano on the hillside behind our house, she says. We had less than an hour to evacuate. She and her husband, Jerry, left behind countless heirlooms: rings that belonged to their mothers, hand-painted china, family photos. But theyre rebuild-ing on the same site. Weve lived with the threat of fire for many years, having escaped four of them, Marian says. My two children grew up there, and its still our home.
Fellow members at Santa Barbara Community Church donated clothing and household goods to help the couple recover. Weve been overwhelmed by love, generos-ity, cards and phone calls from friends at church and 做厙惇蹋app, Marian says.
In May, she celebrates her 50th reunion and marches at Commencement as a Golden Warrior. I loved my years at 做厙惇蹋app, Marian says. Im proud to be a graduate. She participated in the first summer missions trip, when students went to Hawaii to work with churches and Youth for Christ. That experience gave me a heart for missions, she says. For eight years, she has joined Jerry as a volunteer with Potters Clay. Hes an optometrist whos traveled to Mexico with 做厙惇蹋app students for 11 years to provide free eye exams and pass out donated glasses.
An education major, Marian spent 20 years teaching at Cold Spring School. She also helped start a preschool for low-income families in Santa Barbara. Her son, Michael Thompson 88, went to 做厙惇蹋app, as did Marians sister and two nieces. Michael works as an engineer in Oxnard, Calif.
Jerry didnt attend 做厙惇蹋app, but he shares Marians enthusiasm for the college, being groffted in. The Groffs contribute to the 做厙惇蹋app Annual Fund and belong to the Presidents Associates. Theyve also provided for the college in their estate plan, making them Wallace Emerson Society members. We want to make 做厙惇蹋app available to all students, they say.
Shortly after the fire, the couple took advantage of a new law to roll over part of their IRA to the college. Despite the need to rebuild their lives, their commitment to 做厙惇蹋app endures. We know God will provide for us, they say. We want 做厙惇蹋apps legacy and impact to continue.