The Seal Beach Victims' Fund Trust wishes to thank the public for their generous support of those most affected by the tragic shooting at Salon Meritage on October 12, 2011. The Trust is pleased to announce final distributions of funds.
As of the close of the fund, the total amount raised was $401,556.12. The intent of the Trust was never to be a long term vehicle for fundraising, but rather a relatively short term solution for collection and disbursement of community unrestricted cash gifts and fund raiser monies.
The Trustees unanimously arrived at consensus for disbursement of the funds for all those most affected. The Trust established three distinct tiers of victims. The primary or first tier was those families who lost someone, the lone gunshot survivor and the single minor child effectively made parentless. Tier two was for those survivors trapped in the salon who were not killed or physically injured by gunfire. Tier three was for those employees of Salon Meritage and direct witnesses. Those identified in tiers two and three made a written claim to the Trust. The majority of funds went to those identified in tier one, slightly over 80% of the total funds, as that was clear to the Trustees as the will of the community and donors.
Seth Eaker, trustee and communications liaison said, "The trustees considered all written and verbal communication over the last three months. Families had a single point of contact and tier one funds went to those identified by the police department.
Further, all other recipients who submitted written requests were verified through the police department as to the facts on record. The Trust did not consider internal family dynamics or how families or recipients might use the funds. All funds received were unrestricted and were intended to help the recipients in the way they deem fit.”
Currently, there are no other organizations or agencies that have come forward as an impartial and jointly supported entity for any other long term fundraising or related activities. The Trustees understand that the funds were limited and tried hard to establish a standard evaluation which was fair and equitable. Seth Eaker said, “As trustees, none of us had any direct link to the victims or individuals considered. We hope that these funds will help the recipients with their immediate financial needs, as was the intention of the trust all along.”
The Trust also needs to acknowledge the support of the City of Seal Beach, Watson & Associates, the Bank of America at 208 Main Street - Seal Beach, and the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce for their administrative support. The Trust also gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the law firm of Friedman Stroffe & Gerard, P.C. and especially partner Martin C. Groh, for providing legal services on a pro bono basis in connection with the formation and legal support of the Trust. Based on the support from these groups and volunteers there were no administrative costs for the Trust, 100% of all funds donated were given to those most affected by the tragedy. This final set of disbursements will liquidate all resources collected by the Seal Beach Victims’ Fund Trust.
The Seal Beach Victims' Fund Trust was established in partnership with the City of Seal Beach, the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce and Watson & Associates for the express purpose of being a clearinghouse for raised funds to help the victims. Any contact to the trustees should be sent to the sealbeachvictimsfund@gmail.com email for questions or comments. That email will be terminated on February 1, 2012.
