BURST
Crowdfunding campaigns have raised over $3 million for the families of victims of last week’s mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge.
By far the most money has been collected at a group fundraiser set up by the Tumbler Ridge parent advisory council, which has nearly reached its goal of $750,000 as of Tuesday.
Closing in on half-a-million dollars is another GoFundMe for 12-year-old Maya Gebala , who has been at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver on a ventilator since being shot in the head and neck inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Feb. 10.
Six others were fatally shot at the school along with shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar’s mother and stepbrother at the family home. Van Rootselaar took her own life minutes after shooting at RCMP officers who arrived within minutes of a 911 call.
The organizer, family friend Krysta Hunt, set a goal of $250,000 for Maya and her mom Cia Edmonds, but thousands of donations have poured in and over $430,000 had been raised as of Tuesday.
Another survivor, Paige Hoekstra, who was shot in the chest and will be released from hospital soon, has a GoFundMe that has raised over $60,000 to support her recovery.
GoFundMe has gathered together several of the individual campaigns at a community fundraising hub . There, individual fundraisers include young victims Zoey Benoit , Kylie Smith , as well as the three surviving children of Van Rootselaar’s mother Jennifer Jacobs (Strang) and stepbrother Emmett Jacobs.
Fundraisers are also up and running for school victims Ticaria Lampert , Abel Mwansa , Ezekiel Schofield and teacher Shannda Aviugana-Durand .
GoFundMe spokesperson Aisha Vernon said its team is still working to verify several of the fundraisers.
“For our team to verify a fundraiser, it must be clear who the organizer is, as well as the person, business or charity they are raising funds for, the organizer’s relationship to the recipient of the funds, and how the funds will be used.”
This is done both with reviews by “world-class” trust and safety experts and technical tools aimed at spotting misuse, said Vernon. If more information is needed during a review, the fundraiser will be placed on hold and money can’t be withdrawn until it’s complete.
Individual GoFundMe accounts will be added to the community hub as those are verified.
The Tumbler Ridge parent advisory council said at the group fundraiser that it’s using money collected so far on “the urgent financial needs of the victims’ families. We have also reached out to the families of the two girls who remain in serious condition and are currently awaiting confirmation of their specific needs.”
Some of it could include mortgage or rent payments, fuel and travel expenses, and the cost of bringing loved ones to be with family members where that’s needed.
After urgent needs are met, the parent advisory council plans to allocate money to funeral and burial arrangements, and the cost of transportation to chosen final resting places for the victims.
“After that, we will continue working closely with each family to address any longer-term needs they may have in the weeks and months ahead,” said an update on the GoFundMe.
The parent advisory council said its primary goal is “to provide a secure, trusted place for our community to contribute collectively in support of these devastated families, ensuring they do not have to carry financial burdens during this incredibly difficult time.”
“We want to sincerely thank our community and country for the overwhelming generosity and support, including Bob Zimmer, the member of Parliament for the Peace River region; Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld; and Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy for their help navigating the federal and provincial systems.”
“We are deeply grateful for the compassion, care and unwavering support shown by so many,” wrote Tumbler River parent advisory council’s organizer Nicole Noksan.