Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Tops Friendly Markets and National Compassion Fund selected two co-chairs for the Buffalo-community steering committee on Wednesday. They selected Reverend Mark Blue, pastor of Second Baptist Church and President of Buffalo's NAACP, and Paul Vukelic, CEO of Try-It Distributing.
The 5/14 Survivors Fund, the funds raised to aid and support of the families of the 13 victims of the tragic mass shooting on Jefferson Avenue, has reached $1.5 million in donations with over 8,500 donors contributing to the cause.
The rest of the committee will be announced in the following weeks.
"The steering committee is comprised of civic, business, state and community leaders and the natural compensation fund has identified a specific set of skills to have, as part of these partners. We look at having those who also have medical knowledge, psychological trauma experts, trust and estate attorney victims, advocates, medical professionals and donors, and major employers," said Reverend Blue.
"The goal of the steering committee is to help the Buffalo victims’ families, survivors, and those impacted as much as possible, with intentions of transparency, integrity, compassion, and fairness. We take this responsibility very seriously and are committed to doing what is right for all involved," said Vukelic.
The committee will work with the National Compassion Fund to provide protocols, procedures and timelines.
"The committee should be convening within the next few weeks," said Reverend Blue.
All 100% of the funds will go directly to families of the victims and the survivors.
Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/buffalo-survivors-fund. Those wishing to make donations by check or wire transfer should email Buffalo@NationalCompassion.org for details.