A fund has been established to support the victims of the Salon Meritage murders. Over the weekend, of Oct. 15 and 16, the Los Alamitos and Seal Beach Vons outlets raised more than $58,000 for victims of the shootings, according to Carlos Illingworth, manager of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Vons.
Illingworth said the two stores collected a total of $33,000 during a two-day fundraising effort. Illingworth said Vons corporate would match donations up to $25,000.
Vons’ role in the fundraising effort is now over
The Seal Beach Vons Pavilions store on Pacific Coast Highway began collecting donations for the fund Saturday morning, Oct. 15. Elected city, county and federal officials as well as members of the business community helped bag groceries to launch the fundraising project.
On Saturday morning, City Council members David Sloan and Gary Miller packed grocery bags, as did current and past presidents of the local Chamber of Commerce. Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach helped shoppers unload their shopping carts. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher helped out until 10:10 a.m.
The fund was established jointly by the city government of Seal Beach, Watson & Associates (the company that owns the shopping center where the crime took place) and the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce, according to a joint press release issued by all three entities.
“While no doubt several other funds will be established to assist the victims’ families, we are encouraging those who would like to donate funds to contribute directly to the Seal Beach Victims’ Fund and deliver your donation to Von’s Saturday or Sunday (so your donation will be doubled) and to the Chamber of Commerce from Monday on,” wrote Councilwoman Ellery Deaton in an e-mail to her constituents.
“Additional details regarding this fund can be found in a press release on the city’s Web site,” Deaton said.
“This tragedy has touched the community of Seal Beach in many ways, one of which is the outpouring of sympathy and support for the families of the victims of this senseless act of violence,” said Gary Miller, mayor pro tem of the city of Seal Beach. “I’m pleased to announce that the city and the business community have come together to establish a fund which will benefit the immediate families of the victims of this crime,” he said.
Money donated to the fund is intended to be used for the benefit of the victims and their immediate family members.
The “Seal Beach Victims’ Fund” account is being established at the Bank of America, at 208 Main Street, Seal Beach. Donations may be mailed or delivered to the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce or the Bank of America with checks made payable to the “Seal Beach Victims’ Fund;” credit cards will also be accepted.
