Columbine survivor organizing fundraiser for Boston bombing victims


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OREM — A woman who survived the Columbine High School Shootings said she understands how the victims in Boston must feel, and she wants to do something to show them there are still a lot of good people in the world.

Saturday marks the 14-year anniversary of the Columbine shootings in Colorado and Nikki Spurgiesz said she still has nightmares about being in the school cafeteria when two classmates started shooting.

"All of a sudden we are running," Spurgiesz said. "People are saying people are shooting at you and you have no idea if you are going to be shot in the back or what's going on. It's just a terror that, you know, it's hard to understand if you've never been through something like that."

Spurgiesz said the victims in the Boston bombings, like her, will relive the terrorizing moments for the rest of their lives. However, she also remembers in the days after the shootings the outpouring of love and support from her community and from around the nation.

"I wanted to make it my mission that if anyone had to go through something hard, we could show them there are still a lot of good people, there's still a lot of people who care."

Workout Fundraiser for Boston Victims:
  • When: Saturday, April 20
  • Where: Nielson's Grove Park: 1931 S. Sandhill Road Orem
  • Time: 9 a.m.

Spurgiesz works in the fitness industry and has worked at several Boston Marathons. She even had close friends at the race this year at the finish line when the bombs exploded.

As a way to remember the victims in the Columbine tragedy and to help victims in Boston, Spurgiesz has organized a community workout in Orem Saturday at 9 a.m. at Nielson's Grove Park (1931 S Sandhill Road) with all proceeds going to the "One Fund Boston."

Spurgiesz will lead the hour-long workout herself, which she promises will get your heart pumping. She's asked people to show up and donate $10 or whatever people can to participate. Even if you aren't physically capable of a tough workout, she said people can still show up for support and donate.

The event will happen rain or shine and water will be provided.

"If every community, if everyone does a little bit of something it shows them how many good people there are in this world and how much good we can do," Spurgiesz said.

After high school, Spurgiesz came to Utah to attend BYU and recently moved back to Utah and lives in Utah County.

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Randall Jeppesen

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