Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund Steering Committee Announces Town Hall Meetings
Public is invited on April 10 at 12:30 and 6:30 p.m.
During Town Hall meetings, Draft protocol and claim submission process will be discussed for distributing funds collected through the Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund.
The following information was given from the media contact of the Broward Education Foundation:
Potential claimants and the general public are invited to attend the Town Halls to provide input and comments. Information collected from these group meetings, various communications and correspondence between the claimants, other interested parties and the fund administrators will be considered in finalizing the Final Protocol.
“We are grateful to have the guidance of the National Compassion Fund and the benefit of its experience in administering similar funds in the aftermath of other mass casualty crimes but, ultimately, we want to hear from the students, teachers, parents and members of the community at large. We want their constructive feedback on these Draft Protocols,” said former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, chair of the steering committee. “With a community as large and diverse as ours, we have no illusion that we can issue a protocol that will satisfy everyone. However, we can promise that we will thoughtfully consider all feedback and suggestions derived from the public comment process with the driving intent of arriving at a protocol that will provide the greatest amount of help possible to the largest number of people.”
“These gifts are given to victims without any restriction on their use. We believe that victims and survivors are in the best position to determine which use would be most beneficial to their healing,” said Christina Fischer, Broward Education Foundation Board Chair. “We also believe that empowering victims to decide for themselves is yet another way to help them regain the control that was taken from them on that horrific day in February.”
Once finalized, the Final Protocol and application information will be disseminated to all known and registered victims and made available at NationalCompassionFund.org beginning May 1.
To RSVP: https://nationalcompassionfund.org
In addition to www.gofundme.com/stonemandouglasvictimsfund, those who want to donate can also text-to-donate to 20222 with the message PARKLAND which will forward $10 to the Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund, facilitated through Bank of America. Corporate or personal check donations designated in the memo line for the “Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund” also can be sent directly to Broward Education Foundation, 600 SE 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Gun-control forums will be happening this week in South Florida:
Town Hall on Gun Violence and School Safety
Attending: U.S. Reps. Frederica Wilson and Shevrin D. Jones
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5
Where: Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex Auditorium, 3000 NW 199th St., Miami Gardens
Town Hall Forum for Our Lives – Palm Beach County
Attending: U.S. Rep. candidates James Bonfiglio and Jay Bonner will appear in person, while Pam Keith will appear via Skype. Organizers say a representative for Rep. Lois Frankel will read a statement during the forum.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7
Where: Vizcaya Clubhouse, 15150 Michelangelo Blvd., Delray Beach
Town Hall: Gun Violence and School Safety
Attending: U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7
Where: Weston Community Center at Weston Regional Park, 20200 Saddle Club Road
What: This Wasserman Schultz-hosted town hall will address gun-control legislation and school safety.