The recovery process has been difficult for many after the Ocean Isle Beach fire killed seven college students last month, and members of the N.C. State chapter of Tri-Delta said having a sorority connection to some of the victims has made it even more challenging, according to Mary Jane Saunier, field consultant for Tri-Delta.

“I just thought it was really sad and it puts things into perspective because that could so easily have happened to me or any of my friends,” Meredith Peatross, a Tri-Delta sister and sophomore in psychology, said. “It hit close to home because those girls were part of the same sorority I’m in.”

As an organization with an emphasis on sisterhood, Saunier said Tri-Deltas from across the nation are reaching out to their fellow sisters from the University of South Carolina.

“We are devastated by the loss of three Tri-Deltas and four other college students in the fire last weekend in North Carolina, and the Epsilon Eta chapter is certainly doing what we can to honor our fellow sisters and their families,” she said.

Tri-Deltas took time out of their retreat last weekend to put together a “Delta Love Line,” which Saunier said included notes and kind words to send to their sisters in Colombia, S.C. Each note was attached to a string, giving the sisters an opportunity to hang them, she said.

Many Tri-Deltas are also wearing USC-themed black and crimson ribbon behind their “I heart Delta Delta Delta” buttons in memory of those students who lost their lives, Saunier said.

The NCSU chapter doesn’t want to limit its sympathy to the three Tri-Delta members; four students who weren’t Tri-Deltas also lost their lives and she said they are keeping everyone in mind.

“Anytime these types of things happen, everyone’s hearts go out to the families and close friends of the individuals who have passed away,” Saunier said. “Obviously, we have incredible feelings of sadness and our wishes go out to them. Everyone has been thinking of those people in South Carolina.”

Cameron Ketner, a sophomore in engineering, said the fire made him realize that this could have easily happened to his own friends.

“It made me realize that as college students we aren’t invincible, even though often times we think we are.”

According to the national Tri-Delta website, officials and volunteers are working closely with the University of South Carolina chapter to offer support and guidance. A Carolina Remembrance Fund has been established in memory of the six South Carolina students who passed away. Jenny Gilchrest, media specialist for Tri-Delta, was unable to be reached for comment.

More information on the Carolina Remembrance Fund and other Tri-Delta programs is available at www.tridelta.org.