Donations for victims
Drew Jackson, CT Features Staff
April 19, 2007
Several funds have been set up in the region to help victims' families cope with any expenses associated with their losses. Michael Vick made his own impact with a gift of ten thousand dollars by way of the Vick Foundation, and encouraged other Atlanta residents to do the same.
The United Way of Montgomery, Radford and Floyd, which is located in downtown Christiansburg, established the United in Caring Fund for Victims of the Virginia Tech Tragedy. This fund is designed to aid families with funeral fees, transportation for the families and mental health services.
"Whatever the family needs is what we're there for," said Melissa Davis, Executive Administrative Assistant and Referral Specialist for the area's United Way.
At the university the administration established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, a similar, but somewhat restricted fund in that it cannot pay out directly to the families.
"The Virginia Tech Foundation is going to go through us. They don't have non-profit status, so they could not pay out to the families whereas we could," Davis said. "(The university) is going to be a collection site for us, and we are going to be the payer."
Another fund the United Way's is working with is the Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (CICF).
"What the CICF can't cover, we'll cover," Davis said. "They don't want the family to have to wipe themselves out to cover burial expenses."
According to Davis the CICF has a $15,000 per victim cap, which includes a $5,000 cap for funeral expenses, and whatever they are unable to cover, the United Way's fund will attempt to cover.
Donations are not being raised specifically for the victims' families, although that is their primary application.
"Everyone in the affected dorm and in the classrooms, anyone that was involved in the shooting is eligible for services," Davis said.
Less apparent uses of the donated money include moving expenses, storage, relocation, medical co-pay and counseling.
"It will be more of an individualized thing. It really depends on the family member and what they need. We'll try to tailor everything to their needs."
On Wednesday alone, Davis said the United Way's fund had received at least $4,000. The United in Caring Fund is accepting credit card donations on their website at www.unitedwaynrv.org, and in person at their office in downtown Christiansburg. The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund is accepting donations at www.vt.edu/tragedy/memorial_fund.php