BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) "Fourteen thousand Tops associates are heartbroken," said Tops President John Persons in his first radio interview since Saturday's mass shooting.
"What's helping us get through these difficult days is the positive outpouring from the community, the notes and kind words of support. It's quite amazing how everyone is trying to pull together to get through this."
This week, Tops established the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund for families
of the victims and those directly impacted by it. "100% of the funds raised
will go to the survivors of the horrible event. That includes the families of
the victims, the people that were physically injured and the people who were
emotionally and physically injured as well on site.
Tops is working with the National Compassion Fund which is set up strictly to
help in these situations. "We heard from the community. People wanted to help. We knew we wanted to get on it pretty quickly and the National Compassion Fund allowed us to do that."
Tops started the fund with $500-thousand dollars in seed money. It was at nearly a million dollars at mid day Thursday.
"It's overwhelming to see. When I looked this morning we have over
five thousand individual donors already," said Persons. "People are recognizing the importance of this fund and they're donating to it. It's wonderful to see."
Persons leaving no doubt that Tops is committed to the community. "We are 100% committed to the neighborhood and to the city of Buffalo," he said. "It's been a great store since its opening about twenty years ago." He acknowledged that it will take some time to reopen the store, saying it has to be done properly and respectfully.
Regarding the employees at the Jefferson Avenue store, Persons said the first 24 to 36 hours were spent trying to find out how they were physically and emotionally.
There are 86 associates at that store.
"The company arranged for different types of support, from grief counseling to private and group mental health therapy. The employees are continuing to get paid. We want them to know they are important members of the Tops family and we will continue to support them," added Persons.
