In the midst of a sex abuse scandal and coverup that rocked the Nittany Nation, a group of Penn State alumni is working to raise $500,000 for non profits that assist victims of sexual abuse.

Thousands of Penn State University students, fans and alumni have donated more than $365,000 through ProudToBeAPennStater.com, after a grand jury presentment was released, which targeted former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky of molesting and sexually assaulting eight boys.

PSU 1998 graduate Larena Lettow told 6News that funds collected through the grassroots fundraiser will be donated to the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network sex assault hotlines.

“We thought, how can we take this raw emotion; this horrific event, and make something positive out of it, and get the focus back on the people it should be focused on, which is the victims,” said Lettow. “RAINN has actually seen a twenty percent increase in their phone calls, of people coming forward and saying, ‘Look, I’ve been the victim of sexual abuse and I need help.’”

For more information, visit ProudToBeAPennStater.com