It was from the shape of a swimming pool that Valerie Lepage realized her friend and colleague, Jackie Thomas, was among those affected by the August house explosion in Plum.
The pool was all that was left of the Thomas home, which burned after the house of Paul and Heather Oravitz next door blew up Aug. 12 in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood.
Six people were killed including Thomas’ husband, Plum Manager Michael Thomas, who had been in the Oravitz home with the others who died. Jackie Thomas and their daughter, Hannah, were in their home and survived.
Lepage, who teaches French at Butler intermediate and senior high schools, said she has worked for 10 years with Jackie Thomas, a Spanish teacher at Butler Intermediate.
“It’s a tight community. We are like a big family. When we found out, everybody was concerned,” Lepage said. “She’s in need. She has nothing.”
To help Jackie Thomas and her daughter, teachers at the school have organized Rock for a Cause, which will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Marshall.
The band B.B. Steal 80s Live will perform from 1 to 4 p.m.
“Our goal for this event is to raise as much money as we can and help her out financially,” said Jared Schneider, who teaches German at Butler Intermediate. “We’re just trying to pull together to support Jackie and her family as much as we can through the tragedy.”
While Lepage recognized the Thomas’ swimming pool in a television news broadcast, Schneider said it was Jackie Thomas’ car he identified in news footage of the explosion site. A former student of hers, Schneider said he’s been working with Jackie Thomas since 2018.
“She’s a great asset to the school and a really great co-worker,” he said.
To support the effort, Jergel’s is donating the venue while the band is giving its time. Retired NHL goalie Ken Wregget, who was with the Pittsburgh Penguins when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1992, also will be there, Lepage said.
The event will include a 50-50 raffle and basket auction. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free.
Lepage said organizers hope to raise at least $10,000, and ideally up to $20,000, for Jackie and Hannah Thomas.
While Jackie Thomas has not returned to work, Lepage said she sees her every weekend.
“She’s trying to keep her faith. She’s very traumatized,” Lepage said. “Her world collapsed. Both of them are going through a very hard time.”
What the mother and daughter need now, Lepage said, is money to get the things they need, such as clothes as the region moves into the colder fall and winter seasons.
“They didn’t get anything from the house,” Lepage said. “There was nothing left.”
Rock for a Cause will be held at the same time as the Plum Borough Education Association’s Festival of Honor, scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at Plum High School. Proceeds from that event will benefit all Rustic Ridge families affected by the explosion.
“All these events are helpful,” Schneider said. “Every little bit helps.”
