The Seal Beach Victims’ Fund Trust announced it distributed $150,000 to the families of the victims of the Oct. 12 Salon Meritage shootings.
Seth Eaker, a fund trustee who has been designated spokesman for the fund, said the fund has collected in excess of $150,000. He said checks have been written and the recipients identified.
Eaker did not say if the money was disbursed equally among the families of the eight murder victims and sole survivor or if the funds were distributed based on another criteria.
“The trustees reached consensus on this disbursement based on the trust document,” Eaker said.
“The distributions made from this Trust to or for the benefit of the beneficiaries may be made in any manner and at any time deemed appropriate by the committee of Trustees,” said the Declaration of Trust that created the Victims Fund.
The declaration also said that trustees willl not receive any compensation for their work.
Fund trustees are expect to make a second disbursement during the first week of January 2012.
In a press release announcing the first disbursement, Eaker said, “It has been an amazing effort on the part of the business, residential and non-profit organizations both in town and beyond in our neighboring communities, that has come together to provide needed help for the families. The Fund wishes to thank all of those who have worked and contributed so generously to make a difference.”
The Seal Beach Victims’ Fund Trust was established in partnership with the city of Seal Beach, the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce and Watson & Associates for the express purpose of being a clearinghouse for funds raised to help the victims. Watson & Associates is the company that owns the shopping center where the Solon Meritage was located. The Trust can be contacted at sealbeachvictimsfund@gmail.com for any questions or comments.
The trust can be contacted at sealbeachvictimsfund@gmail.com for any questions or comments. The public has until Dec. 31 to make contributions to the fund.
