The Wayne State University community has come through in a big way to help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul replace clothing lost in an early December fire at the charity’s Flat Rock store. A quickly-organized, weeklong drive at the university’s main and medical school campuses netted approximately four tons of winter clothing. Donors also contributed numerous boxfuls of canned goods.

A truck from the society picked up the bulk of the goods at the university’s central receiving facility yesterday and returned today, Dec. 15, for the remainder.

William Brazier, the society’s executive director, said the magnitude of the response was a pleasant surprise given the relatively brief time frame for the drive at the university. “We’re very grateful to the Wayne State community for the tremendous support,” he said.

The Wayne State effort was organized by the university’s Business and Auxiliary Operations Division with assistance from several other offices, including the Dean of Students, Government and Community Affairs, and academic units.