The Half Moon Bay City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to establish an emergency fund for victims of January’s shootings at two Half Moon Bay farms that killed seven people and critically wounded another.
The Coastside Victims Fund will be administered by the San Mateo Credit Union Community Fund in partnership with Mavericks Community Foundation.
No administrative fees will be taken, and 100 percent of donations will go to support the families of those killed and injured, as well as dozens of other farmworkers at the two locations that suffered psychological injuries, regardless of citizenship status, according to a news release from a city spokesperson.
“As a community we are grieving. While we know that financial support cannot begin to alleviate the pain of this tragedy, this fund is intended to provide victims with some support to manage expenses during the difficult and long process of recovery,” Mayor Deborah Penrose said.
There will be no restriction on how the money is used in order to allow recipients to make the decision on how to best apply the aid to their own situation, according to the release.
San Mateo Credit Union CEO Wade Painter said in a statement that the credit union would make a $10,000 donation to the fund in addition to waiving fees.
“We are honored to establish the Coastside Victims Fund. The ability to directly serve our communities, especially those who need it the most is fundamental to our organization’s mission,” Painter said.
Mavericks Community Fund also contributed $10,000, and will establish an oversight committee to work with the county’s district attorney to help with applicant evaluation and grant distribution.
Donations to the fund can be made online at coastsidevictimsfund.org.
Donations by check can be mailed to SMCU Community Fund, ATTN: Support Services, 350 Convention Way, Redwood, City, CA 94063.
Direct donations can be made at the San Mateo Credit Union Half Moon Bay Branch at 40 Cabrillo Hwy North.
