January 3, 2023, Chino Hills, CA – With the rise in the number of mass shootings in the United States, VictimsFirst – a 501(c)3 nonprofit comprised of over two decades of families of the deceased, injured, and those who have survived a mass shooting – are announcing the National Mass Shooting Victims’ Fund.
This Fund, rebranded and renamed because of the rash of mass shootings, is dedicated solely to assisting with emergency financial funds for victims of mass casualty crime. It is the only emergency needs Fund dedicated solely to mass casualty crime victims in the United States. Every penny – 100% of every dollar collected into this fund – goes directly to these victims. No administration fee is taken from the Fund.
The National Mass Shooting Victims’ Fund rose out of a dire cry from mass shooting families in America: these crime victims face mounting medical bills not covered by insurance, new costs associated with accessibility needs, and unforeseen challenges to covering housing and basic living expenses—and, much of it, is a direct result of the country’s growing epidemic of gun violence.
Since our inception, VictimsFirst has been providing emergency financial assistance to victims of mass casualty crimes through our General Victims Fund. On January 1, 2023, our board voted to streamline our efforts through the National Mass Shooting Victims' Fund so that it is more easily discoverable and accessible. The Fund is still open to all victims/survivors of mass casualty crime, whether it is a mass shooting, bombing, or some other form of attack.
Since mass shootings make up the majority of mass casualty crimes in the United States, we opted to reference mass shootings specifically in the name of the Fund. We define a mass casualty crime as a single incident in which four or more people are murdered in a random act of mass violence.
We cover emergency financial needs and find other resources as needed for those families directly impacted whose direct family members have been murdered and for those wounded, injured, or were present. We are currently funded, but funds are limited so we will continue to provide verified applicants with assistance until our Fund balance is zero.
We understand that each person has unique, individual needs. Therefore, there is no time limit on when an applicant can request emergency funds. We provide help for immediate, mid-term, and long-term needs – throughout the life of a mass shooting/casualty crime survivor.
CONTACT: Dr. Zachary Blair, (360) 580-2771
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