Looking to donate in Zoey Felix's memory? Here's one way to do it safely.
In the wake of the tragic death of Zoey Felix on Monday, hundreds of people have looked to help donate to cover her funeral and memorial costs, and her former school district wants to help people do that in a safe manner.
In a message to the district Friday afternoon, Topeka USD 501 superintendent Tiffany Anderson said the school would begin a fund in support of the former Shaner Early Learning Academy student and others like.
Zoey had been a preschooler at Shaner for most of the 2022-23 school year before she stopped coming regularly after spring break. She was raped and killed on Monday after having lived in a homeless camp for the past several weeks.
USD 501 Early Childhood Fund will support Zoey Felix's funeral expenses
"An Early Childhood Fund has been established today through the Topeka Public Schools Foundation in support of preschool and kindergarten children in need of basic resources," Anderson wrote. "Our social workers rely on donations which they use regularly to support young children in need, and this fund will remain a central source for them for preschool and kindergarten age children."
The foundation will send any initial donations directly to Zoey's funeral home, once one is announced, Anderson further said, to cover funeral and memorial costs, as well as any further needs.
Remaining funds will be used to support other preschoolers and kindergarteners like Zoey, as determined by the district's social workers.
Donations may be made by check to the Topeka Public Schools Foundation, Topeka Public Schools FoundationP.O. Box 5883, Topeka, KS 66605, with "Early Childhood Fund" listed on the memo line.
Online donations can also be made at topekapublicschools.net/departments/tps_foundation/donate.
Topeka USD 501 will continue honoring former preschooler Zoey Felix
Since news of Zoey's death shocked the broader Topeka community on Tuesday, USD 501 has put in place and will continue to offer mental health services for district staff and family.
On Thursday, district staff will plant a yellow magnolia tree, which is expected to bloom annually, on Shaner Early Learning Academy grounds. The tree is meant to signalize the "happiness and joy which represent Zoey beautifully."
More: In Zoey Felix's difficult last year of life, this Topeka preschool was her one refuge
At the Topeka Board of Education meeting Thursday, a shaken Anderson asked the board to take a moment of silence in honor of Zoey and other children who have died in the district.
"We, at Shaner and across the school district, love and care for our students deeply, and when there are matters of concern, our educators work tirelessly to bring that to the attention of agencies, in a general sense," Anderson said. "When a child dies, it is a challenge for all of us. We just want you to continue to uplift Zoey’s classmates and staff and all of those who she loved."
Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka Public Schools starts memorial fund for Zoey Felix
