(WWJ) -- Family members of the Oxford High School victims and individuals within the community have come together to create ways in which people can give back and pay their respects to the families and victims who are wounded, died or are still fighting for their lives in the hospital.
The deadly school shooting that shook a small, tight-knit community to its core on Nov. 30 is now grappling with a new reality many of them never expected to go through.
Below is more information on where to donate, sign or attend to show your support for a now grieiving community.
Donations
• A 2011 graduate from Oxford High School started a gofundme for the families who lost loved ones and those who were injured to help cover funeral and medical costs.
Laura Ferguson, now a fifth grade teacher for the Davison School District, said Oxford was more than just a school, "it was a family full of memories, opportunities and friends."
Ferguson said the lasting effects of this tragedy will forever grip her hometown and that the community needs to "rise up" to show support.
As of 1 p.m. Thursday the page has reached $73,000 of its $75,000 goal.
• A local couple, Bob & Melissa Chapa, who have lived in Oxford for over 12 years and owners of a sign-making company, Signarama, have merged their business with a purpose to support their community.
They said their team has produced hundreds of yard signs that say "Prayers for Oxford #OxfordStrong" and want to give them away to those who donate here.
All donations are going directly to the impacted families. Their goal is $25,000 and as of Tuesday afternoon the fund has collected a little over $3,000.
To claim your yard sign, call 248-585-6880.
• The grandmother of Madisyn Baldwin, the 17-year-old who lost her life, created a gofundme to help Madisyn's parents and siblings.
"My daughter and son-in-law would never ask for anything during this time, however I want them to be able to be with each other, their other children and family during this time without worrying about work, bills and arrangements," wrote Jennifer Graves Mosqueda.
The page only asked for $30,000 but it has surpassed that and now sees itself at almost $80,000.
Related
• A gofundme for a wounded victim with serious injuries -- 14-year-old Phoebe Arthur -- was created by her cousin to help cover expenses related to the tragedy, her recovery and any lasting impacts of the trauma.
Aiming for $50,000, this fund has brought in just over $35,000.
• A gofundme for 17-year-old Justin Shilling, a victim who died on Wednesday Dec. 1 in the hospital from his injuries, was created by his uncle to cover memorial expenses.
"I cannot describe to you the grief that our family is feeling from this senseless and unimaginable tragedy," wrote Kevin Shilling.
The page has brought in almost $40,000 in donations, surpassing their $30,000 goal.
• The Oxford Bank, along with Oxford Community Schools and the Oxford Downtown Development Authority, have created a Memorial and Victims Fund for family members of the victims.
• To provide trauma therapy to those impacted, you can make a donation to the metro Detroit non-profit mental health organization, Sanctuary Services.
Related
Petitions
• A different way to show support that doesn't include money is by signing a petition. This one was created to rename the Oxford High School wildcat stadium after the 16-year-old student who lost his life, Tate Myre.
"One of the students was killed in an attempt to disarm the shooter," wrote the creator of the petition, Drake Biggie. "Tate is not just a hero to his fellow students at Oxford High School, but a legend -- his act of bravery should be remembered forever and passed down through generations."
So far, the petition has about 133,000 signatures and is asking for 150,000.
• There is a petition to rename Oxford's library and performing arts center in memorial of Madisyn Baldwin and the youngest victim to lose her life, 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana.
The creator of the petition states that the library should be memorialized and renamed as the "Hana St. Juliana Library" as well as the performing arts center being renamed the "Madisyn Baldwin Performing Arts Center."
The petition has collected close to 16,000 signatures and is aiming for 25,000.
Support can also be shown through attending vigils for the victims. Below is a list of all the different locations and times for candlelight vigils in metro Detroit:
• The Oxford Downtown Development Authority is holding a prayer vigil in downtown Oxford at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. For more information, visit this page.
•At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, gather at Royal Oak Middle School at 709 N. Washington Ave. for the parents of Tate Myre and the rest of the Oxford community.
• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church-Rochester, located at 620 Romeo St. in Rochester at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5. For more information, click here.
• At 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, gather at Canterbury Village at 7 p.m. located at 2325 Joslyn Ct. in Lake Orion. Click here for more information.
