Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It has been two weeks since the application process officially opened for the "Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund", more than three months after the racially motivated mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue that claimed the lives of 10 innocent victims.
For anyone that was directly impacted by the Tops mass shooting back on May 14, they are urged to go online and apply for qualification to receive funds. The final deadline to apply for compensation is set for Wednesday, Sept. 14.
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In the two weeks since the application process opened, it seems to be going well so far.
"We've got applications in all of the categories, and they're going through the vetting process now, just to make sure," said Rev. Kinzer Pointer, who's a member of the "5/14 Survivors Fund" steering committee. "We have suggested that, as the steering committee, we're concerned in some of the categories, there aren't applications that we were expecting. So one of the things that the [National] Compassion Fund will do is work with our Urban League to help people complete the process. So that's important, and we're prayerful that, especially all the families of the deceased will complete applications."
As of right now, the steering committee has no idea how many people they anticipate will apply, but so far, they've received a robust amount of applications.
However, the concern currently lies with the families of the deceased applying for the "5/14 Survivors Fund". According to Rev. Pointer, only half of the families have applied so far. That has led to the steering committee reaching out to ensure that everything is OK in the process.
"This is a very, very difficult process when you've lost your loved one. Sometimes the motivation can be difficult. So we're making sure to reach out to those families to discover if they need assistance," Rev. Pointer said. "And of course, we're asking the same thing of some of the other groups also, because we just want to make sure that people have an opportunity that we're as fair as possible, and that we give as much support as possible. This is an incredibly difficult circumstance, and we're asking people, then, to come back and go through this application process. So we really believe that our responsibility is to make sure that they can have assistance. We've done that part, and so between the Urban League and the Compassion Fund, we're confident that everyone who needs to apply will certainly have the assistance."
When people are applying to receive compensation from the "5/14 Survivors Fund", they have the option of speaking with someone with knowledge of the fund's protocols with any questions about the process. It continues to remain a goal of the steering committee to be available for assistance whenever necessary to help as many people as possible.
"I can only imagine how difficult it is, because going through an application process can certainly re-trigger the trauma that people are suffering through to start with," Rev. Pointer said. "We've got really excellent partners in the Compassion Fund and the Urban League, so we're pretty confident that before the end of the process, which is another two weeks, that people have the opportunity, and certainly the assistance needed is available."
Just six days after the application process ends, the donation window to contribute to the "5/14 Survivors Fund" will close on Sept. 20, thus ending a four-month period of people contributing to the cause at the local, national and even international level. As of Monday, the "5/14 Survivors Fund" has raised nearly $5.417 million to directly help the families of victims and any other survivors of the mass shooting.
Rev. Pointer still encourages anyone who's inclined to donate to help out the families, adding that no gift is too small.
"We will do justly with the dollars that are donated, and when all is said and done, we will disperse every cent to the families and survivors. We're certainly grateful to this community and to this nation for wrapping their arms around these families and survivors in this way."
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In addition to the funds that have been generated with the help of the "5/14 Survivors Fund", others are chipping in their own way to not only honor the 10 victims of the Tops mass shooting, but also better educate the youth of the Buffalo and Western New York community.
It was on Monday when Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame pass rusher Bruce Smith hosted the inaugural Lt. Aaron Salter Memorial Scholarship Celebrity Golf Tournament and Gala, starting with the golf tournament at the Lockport Town and Country Club and ending with the gala at the Seneca One Tower in Downtown Buffalo.
Monday's event was held to honor the life of Buffalo Police Lt. Aaron Salter Jr. and kick-off fundraising efforts for a scholarship in his name. A total of 10 scholarships will be given to kids located in Buffalo who meet the established criteria and represent high ethics, morals and civic duty.
Salter was killed that Saturday afternoon after exchanging gunfire with the shooter in the Tops. While he was able to slow the progress of the shooter, saving a number of lives in the process, Salter's rounds were unable to bring the gunman down due to the tactical armor the individual was wearing.
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One member of the steering committee was on-hand for Monday's event, as Bills Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas took part to support his former teammate's cause. He says not only was it important to be there Monday in Lockport, but it's also been of importance to him to serve on the "5/14 Survivors Fund" steering committee.
"Just being involved with the community, being with that committee, you get to hear things about what people are doing and how they're going to spread the money and the funds around and everything," said Thomas on Monday. "It's great that we do have that committee with the fund, but let's keep it going. I think we've got to keep this going. Just can't be a one time deal, because a lot of people do that. They support it the one time, and then they don't support it. So just continue to keep supporting this great community and this great city."
As for the decision making process with the funds leading up to the final protocol being agreed upon, Thomas commends his fellow steering committee members for putting the time and effort into ensuring that as many families are being helped as possible.
"I think they went through a lot," Thomas said of the steering committee's efforts. "They talked to the families and talk to the people over at Tops and everything. It was very thorough, everybody was really appreciative of everybody's time getting together and having that completed. It's going to help the community, obviously, but it was just great to be a part of people that want to see the city get better."
When seeing the efforts of others, such as Smith, to bring to light the events of that tragic day on May 14, and also further educate others in the local community, it gives Rev. Pointer a great sense of pride knowing how much people in Buffalo are willing to raise awareness and help those affected by the shooting, now and years down the road.
"It is incredibly gratifying to see people really extend themselves and say, 'Listen, we can do something and we want to.' Then to actually pull it off, it's a tremendous gift," he said. "I am so grateful to not just Bruce Smith and his group, but there have been a multitude of groups that have decided to do that. All I can say is full-hearted and overflowing with gratitude for those efforts. So thank you, one-and-all."