Donations Amassed In Memory Of Rustin High Grad Bianca Roberson

WEST CHESTER, PA — The memory of a Bayard Rustin High School graduate who wanted to save the world — but instead became a victim of gun violence in 2017 — garnered 10 times the amount of food organizers aimed at.

More than three tons of food and nearly $7,500 were collected for Chester County families in need, donations made in the name of Bianca Roberson, a local teenager whose life was cut tragically short in a road rage shooting when she was 18.

Three organizations worked together on the Daisies for Bianca: Spread the Love project. Mom's Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the Bianca Nikol Merge with Mercy Foundation, and the Chester County Food Bank came together and the groups said it was "a resounding success thanks to the generosity of individuals, students, families, organizations, and businesses across the region."

On June 28, four years to the day that Roberson died, organizers and partners joined with her mother and grandmother in personally delivering the donations to the Chester County Food Bank.

"This helps me breathe a little easier and stand a little taller today," said Michelle Roberson, Bianca's mother. "Bianca put other people first. That is who she was and how she lived her life. I am so thankful for the community coming together and people remembering. People have not forgotten."

The West Chester Rustin High School graduate was killed in a road rage shooting. Her obituary said Bianca Roberson was a deeply caring and compassionate woman who had aspirations of "saving the world." She planned on attending Jacksonville University on a four-year merit scholarship to study criminal justice.

Lauren Fosbenner decided to work with Mom's Demand Action in the wake of the shooting that claimed the young woman's life. Fosbenner said she was inspired to help spearhead the Daisies for Bianca effort by the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

With little-to-no experience in fundraising or running a food drive, organizers of Daisies for Bianca said they set out to collect donations that would provide approximately 1,500 meals to the West Chester community.

That goal was exceeded nearly tenfold with food and financial donations that will provide meals to more than 10,000 families, the organization said.

State Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19th), who served as Michelle Roberson's state representative at the time of the tragedy and got to know her in the aftermath, said she was grateful to see the outpouring of community support.

Roberson currently works with Comitta’s office as a Constituent Services Specialist and the office hosted a donation box and supported additional outreach efforts.

"I'm grateful to be a part of Daisies for Bianca, grateful to live in a community where we remember each other and we care about each other, and grateful to learn more about Bianca and her life through efforts like this," Comitta said.

"The food drive technically ended in June, but residents are still showing up with donations. My staff members have had friends and neighbors drop off donations at their homes. People remember, they care, and they want to do something to help," the Senator added.

In addition to Comitta's office, donation boxes were placed throughout the region, including at West Goshen Shoprite, West Goshen Police, the three West Chester Area School District high schools, and at the office of state Rep. Christina Sappey (D-158th).

Volunteers also made and distributed more than 1,000 purple pipe cleaner daisies — a symbol of love in Bianca's favorite color — to each person who made a donation.

"We are truly honored to have a part in remembering Bianca Nikol Roberson," said Andrea Youndt, CEO of the Chester County Food Bank. "Bianca's spirit of helping others lives on through the gift of service to our community."

Read a related Patch story here.

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