Press Release: May 8, 2019 |Download the Press Release in PDF
Former Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman says public donations will be collected by the Fund to help victims of mass shooting
DENVER- The Colorado Healing Fund (CHF), chaired by Former Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman and the non-profit organization’s board of trustees, has activated after yesterday’s mass shooting in Highlands Ranch.
“The Colorado Healing Fund exists to serve as the trusted, statewide organization for the collection of public donations in the aftermath of a mass tragedy,” said Cynthia H. Coffman. “When we created CHF, we hoped never to be needed. But today, after the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch, we are. Donations from caring Coloradans can be channeled to organizations working directly with victims of this terrible tragedy. If you want to help, we encourage you to give through the Colorado Healing Fund and know your generosity will help victims, survivors, families and the STEM School Highlands Ranch community in the weeks and months ahead.”
The public can securely donate online by visiting ColoradoHealingFund.org and donating through Colorado Gives; checks and in-person donations will be accepted at Colorado-based FirstBank (1STBank) locations. Donors should make checks out to “Colorado Healing Fund” and designate their donation for “victims accounts” to bank tellers. Donations will be distributed to victims by the Fund’s community partners, including the Colorado Organization of Victim Assistance (COVA).
Local victim assistance organizations and Douglas County officials are partnering with CHF to determine how best to support individuals and families after the STEM School shooting. The focus is not only short-term needs, but longer-term mental health support for the school, students and parents.
“When the unthinkable happens, you are in such shock that you don’t know what your school community needs first,” said former Columbine principal Frank DeAngelis, who is on the board for CHF. “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. I’m so thankful that the Fund can address the emotional needs that come out of a tragedy like this.”
CHF was established in 2018 to both securely collect donations for and provide financial assistance to mass casualty crime victims in Colorado. CHF fills the gap for immediate and long-term victim needs not otherwise met. The non-profit is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees that represents a wide range of communities and geographic areas within Colorado. It is also supported by an Advisory Committee comprised of experts in victim advocacy and assistance. More about the non-profit organization can be found at ColoradoHealingFund.org.
CONTACT
Taunia Hottman
Webb Strategic Communications
thottman@webbstrategic.com
303-796-8888