'It's overwhelming:' Over 6,300 donors from 12 countries have donated to the United for Waukesha Community Fund so far

Thanksgiving won't be the same for many Waukesha area families this year.

What is normally a joyous day will likely be a difficult one for many after tragedy struck Downtown Waukesha Sunday afternoon.

Some families will spend the holiday without their loved ones while others may spend it at a hospital.

But following the horrific incident, several local organizations and individuals quickly moved to action to raise funds for the victims after a red Ford Escape drove through the Waukesha Christmas parade, leaving at least six dead and dozens injured.

Lynn Alamilla, right, of Hales Corners says a prayer with ehr daughter, Nicolasa Alamilla, of the Forest County Potawatomi and Franklin as Alamilla's boyfriend, Pal Cupi, of New York, NY, lights a candle at a memorial on Main Street in Waukesha on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, where a person plowed their SUV through the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday leaving five dead and more than 40 injured authorities say.  -  Photo by Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Moments after hearing about the tragedy on Sunday, Amy Lindner, the president & CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, called her family members.

"This is the parade that I grew up going to," Lindner said.

After she ensured that her family was safe, she made another phone call.

"When I was so relieved to hear that my personal family was OK, then my immediate next call is what do we need to do for the community," Lindner said.

Lindner called Shelli Marquardt, president of the Waukesha County Community Foundation.

They quickly set up the United for Waukesha Community Fund.

Three days later, the fund has already received more than 6,300 donations from 12 different countries.

Jodi, who didn't want to giver her last name, takes a photo of a memorial at Veterans Park in Waukesha on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, near where a person plowed their SUV through the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday leaving five dead and more than 40 injured authorities say.
Jodi, who didn't want to giver her last name, takes a photo of a memorial at Veterans Park in Waukesha on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, near where a person plowed their SUV through the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday leaving five dead and more than 40 injured authorities say.

That number is still rising.

"I'm in awe of the generosity, the caring and how wide-reaching the response is," Marquardt said. "It's overwhelming."

Both she and Lindner spent Sunday night figuring out the "broad strokes" of the fundraiser, Lindner said.

"Waukesha is a big, little city and we are about one degree of separation away from anyone who was at the parade or who knows someone that was impacted by this," said Marquardt, who lives in Waukesha County.

Lindner said she's encouraged by every donation that comes in, even ones for as little as $5 or $10. As of Friday morning, the United for Waukesha Community Fund has raised roughly $1.8 million dollars, with 7,000 individual donors. The biggest donor was GE with $100,000 and Kohl's, the Walbec group and American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation each donated $50,000.

"I'm not surprised (by the amount) and that's actually a good thing," Lindner said. "My experience in this community is such that this would have been my expectation. It is what I expect to see happening because I know the people who live here and because I know how much they care for each other."

Early next week, a committee will meet to plan exactly how to distribute the funds received.

Lindner said the first wave of donations is set to go out in the next few days. That money will go directly to the families of those who have already lost a loved one.

"We want to get cash in their hands quickly, to help with anything that they need, in terms of immediate expenses," Lindner said.

Lindner expects some of the funds to also be used for access to mental health resources.

"This isn't going to go away in a week," Lindner said. "This is really going to be something that a lot of people struggle with for a long time."

How to donate

To donate, you can visit the United for Waukesha Community Fund webpage at bit.ly/UnitedforWaukesha.

You can also donate by cash or check at any Landmark Credit Union Branch.

You can mail cash or checks to: United Way Pledge Processing, P.O. Box 88988 Milwaukee, WI 53288.

The organizers ask that any check have a memo of “United for Waukesha Community Fund."

Waukesha South Band Fundraiser

Kali Granzow, the band director at Waukesha West High School, started a GoFundMe to support the Waukesha South High School Marching Band, after members of that band were among the injured on Sunday.

The fundraiser is looking to raise money for the medical costs, new instruments, and uniforms for students in the band, Granzow said.

Granzow originally hoped to raise around $50,000. Within two hours, that goal was met.

Over 3,800 people have donated to the fundraiser so far. On Wednesday morning, total donations were closing in $200,000.

"I am in complete shock," Granzow said.

"Music has always been a big family. It’s a small world and we support each other through thick and thin," Granzow said. "We saw friends and neighbors sharing our page nationwide all supporting the cause. It fills our hearts."

If you're looking for more ways to help those impacted by the horrific Waukesha Chirstmas Parade tragedy, you can go here.

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: United for Waukesha Community Fund: How to give, where to donate