More than $3 million has been raised for the United for Waukesha Community Fund. Next, a committee will decide how to distribute the money

Evan Casey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read

Just over two weeks after it was organized, the United for Waukesha Community Fund has already raised more than $3 million for victims of the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.

Now, decisions about how and when to distribute that money will be made by a committee of public and private officials from the Waukesha area, titled The United for Waukesha Community Fund Committee.

Funds have already been distributed to families of those who lost a loved one when a driver plowed through the crowd of the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Nov. 21, killing six and injuring more than 60.

The funds will be apportioned according to the "severity of the injury to the victims," according to the Waukesha County Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, the organizers of the fundraiser.

Police tape blocks the area outside a business in downtown Waukesha after a vehicle plowed through the Waukesha Christmas Parade, leaving multiple people injured.
Police tape blocks the area outside a business in downtown Waukesha after a vehicle plowed through the Waukesha Christmas Parade, leaving multiple people injured.

Families who lost a loved one and victims who have received in-patient care are among the immediate priorities for organizers.

Transparency about how the funds will go out is crucial as well, said Amy Lindner, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.

More: What we know about the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack

As of Monday morning, about 13,000 individual donors and organizations had donated more than $3 million to the fund. Donations have come from all 50 states and from 16 countries worldwide. That total does not include matching funds from the Fotsch Family Foundation, which pledged to match up to $1 million of donations made to the United for Waukesha Community Fund from Nov. 29 to Dec. 4.

"I just continue to be so deeply grateful to this community who clearly really cares about everybody who was impacted and wants to be part of their healing," Lindner said.

The fundraiser isn't done yet; Lindner expects it to last at least until the end of February 2022.

If you were affected, here's how you can apply for funds

Families gather after a procession to pay their respects at tha memorial at Waukesha’s Veterans Park commemorating those who died in the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.
Families gather after a procession to pay their respects at tha memorial at Waukesha’s Veterans Park commemorating those who died in the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.

Starting Dec. 10, the committee will have three unique application forms for the funds.

The first is for families who lost a loved one.

The second is a "universal form for those who sustained physical injury, for those who were physically present at the Waukesha Christmas Parade, or an individual that was a first responder or other medical professional treating victims."

The third is for area nonprofits that were serving the affected community.

Lindner said the committee will generally decide the formula for the funds based on the length of hospitalizations and total medical bill costs for victims.

"Everybody who was hospitalized will receive payment, but your payment, if you have a two-day hospitalization, will be different than if you had a three-day hospitalization," Lindner said.

The detailed protocol, claim forms and more details will be available at www.waukeshafoundation.org beginning Dec. 10.

You can also ask for the application to be sent by email, by sending an email to info@waukeshafoundation.org.

A single claim form should be submitted for each eligible claimant as well.

Individuals can submit the form anytime from Dec. 10, 2021 to Feb. 28, 2022.

You can donate to the fund at bit.ly/UnitedforWaukesha.

Who's on the committee?

Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly speaks at press conference on Nov. 22 at Waukesha City Hall about a tragedy that left several dead and dozens injured during the Waukesha Christmas Parade.
Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly speaks at press conference on Nov. 22 at Waukesha City Hall about a tragedy that left several dead and dozens injured during the Waukesha Christmas Parade.

The United for Waukesha Community Fund Committee consists of:

  • Paul Farrow, Waukesha County executive

  • Shawn Reilly, Waukesha mayor

  • Jennifer Dunn, director of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program for the Waukesha County Department of District Attorney

  • James Sebert, Superintendent of the Waukesha School District

  • Ty Taylor, president and CEO of Waukesha State Bank

  • Shari Campbell, interim president & CEO of La Casa de Esperanza

  • Karin Kultgen, a retired Waukesha County physician

  • James Moore, director of operations for the Waukesha County Community Foundation

  • Nicole Angresano, vice president of community impact for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.

Evan Casey can be reached at 414-403-4391 or evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy: How will funds be distributed?