News 4 is looking back on what has changed in the year given that the Tops mass shooting. Tune in at 1 p.m. Sunday for an unique report as we reflect on what we've lost, what we've discovered, and how we continue to recover.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)-- In the days following the racist attack at Tops on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022, the community came together in an enormous show of assistance for the victims, their households and the community.
When the shock of the amazing came true, corporate people were quick to react. Less than 24 hours after the massacre, Scott Bieler of the West Herr Automotive Group donated $300,000 to be offered straight to the victims households and survivors.
" I got a call from Mr. Bieler at 8 a.m. on Sunday early morning saying he wished to do something, he wished to do something for the households of those who had actually been eliminated and those who had been harmed and he wanted it to be instant," said Rhonda Fredrick of West Herr Automotive Group. "We were able to get togther with this amazing generous donationa dn meet all of the families in a brief amount of time and provide cash they required for whatever they needed. Scott did not care what it was for as long as it got directly into their hand and really rapidly.
Frederick thinks that there were many lessons learned from the disaster.
" How important the community is. How crucial it is to stick and all the stunning things that have occurred on Jefferson Avenue ever since. I'm sorry we have memorials and homages, but we've got to keep this alive until we can be a better society," she stated.
Another massive response came from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Dr. Michael Edbauer is the leader of Highmark and is proud of his staff members' reaction.
" Some of it was boxing up food, some of it was helping to gather food and later it was diapers for kids, just actually remaining in the neighborhood. Gradually it got a little bit more planned out, assisting with mental health services that was needed in the neighborhood," Dr. Edbauer said.
Besides the $400,000 offered to the 5/14 Fund, among the victims retired from Highmark. They set up a $20,000 scholarship fund in the name of Katherine Massey.
Local nonprofits team up for second-annual diaper and hygiene drive
Another big action originated from the
Buffalo Bills and the NFL.
" I feel blessed that we might use our platform to do such good work in our neighborhood it's an unique location," stated Michelle Roberts, who runs the
Buffalo Bills Foundation. "No one comes together like Western
New York does. Everybody loves their Bills and the method they react to our team was beyond anything we ever expected."
She offers a lot of credit to the non-profits on the east side who worked hard to make sure people had food and other provisions.
" They worked tirelessly to make sure the community was served. I don't know if anybody worked harder than those on the east side," she added.
Fallen firefighter's widow files notification of claim against city, fire department
Wegman's likewise made an enormous donation. $400,000 to the 5/14 Fund. However the employees wished to do even more.
" We mobilized our own workers, we felt obliged by what happened, we actually wished to be out there, serving the community and helping," stated Michele Mehaffy, who works for Wegmans.
The mass shooting, as tragic as it was, taught us a crucial lesson.
I actually do think it ‘‘ s the recognition that sadly there is still to much hate, excessive bigotry and take a more proactive actions to say how to we address it, and move on," Dr. Edbauer stated. "We just can't keep doing what we did previously, it's not working we have to do something different."
Don Postles is an award-winning anchor and reporter who has become part of the News 4 team since 1993. See more of his work here.
Comments
Leave a Reply