As students on campus deal with Tuesday’s attacks on the United States, some students have taken the initiative to do something about it.

Jason Brisboe, a Lansing Community College fire science senior, is trying to raise money to help the firefighters and police officers who are missing or have lost their lives.

“I’m going into a career as a firefighter and this is something that affects me,” Brisboe said. “There were a lot of people who busted their humps to help.”

Brisboe, who is the philanthropy chair for Theta Delta Chi, 139 Bailey St., came up with the idea and got the support from his fraternity brothers.

“I went down to all the businesses on Grand River and Abbott and asked if they wanted to help raise money,” he said.

Brisboe said he also asked the business owners if they would put donation boxes in their stores or restaurants to collect change.

He also intends to ask local fire and police departments to participate in the fund-raiser.

One of the 13 businesses cooperating with Brisboe and his fraternity is Steve & Barry’s University Sportswear, 515 E. Grand River Ave.

“I think this is the best thing that we can do, since we can’t be there physically,” Manager Joe Orlowski said. “This is something that effects everybody and we are happy to do this.”

Orlowski, who visits New York every summer, said he was there three weeks ago and it’s hard to believe the twin towers of the World Trade Center are gone.

“I know a lot of people from Michigan have a connection to someone in New York,” he said.

Another area business, Melting Moments Homemade Ice Creams, 313 E. Grand River Ave., is also contributing to the fraternity and other fund-raisers.

“We are glad to help out anyway we can and we plan on doing something else,” Manager Sophie Bell said.

Besides businesses, Brisboe is also encouraging students to get out there and make a difference.

“Students can volunteer, give blood and make donations,” he said. “They can do anything, it doesn’t take much to do something.”