Vegas Aftermath: Supporting our local victims and their families

Many of us, if we weren't awake when the horrific events unfolded late Sunday night, woke up to newsfeeds and texts filled with a mixture of confusion, grief and horror as we started to learn about the shooting that claimed the lives of dozens, injuring hundreds more at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

My chat bubbles were filled with updates. Was "so and so" ok? Have you heard from this person? Who else was there? A flood of questions and information coming in from all different sources and everyone in our community frantically checking to see if their loved ones were safe.

Sadly, our community has been heavily affected by this tragedy and as a result, are coming together to raise funds and support for our local families and victims in need of us now more than ever before.

Please give, where you can. Every dollar makes a difference and everyone deserves to be able to grieve and/or recover from injuries sustained without also being burdened by the financial stress and toll.

Below, I've comprised links and information of those I'm aware of. Please email me if someone has been excluded.

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Keri Galvan, 31, Thousand Oaks, mother of three
According to Keri's sister, Keri was a devoted wife and mother.  Her days started and ended with doing everything in her power to be a wonderful mother.  She was senselessly murdered on October 1st, 2017 while enjoying a night out with her husband and friends.  Keri was a victim of the mass shooting in Las Vegas during the Route 91 Harvest music festival, and she leaves behind her husband, her babies aged; 10,4, and 2, her parents and one sister. 

Her family  is asking for support for bills, her children's future and education.  Keri's family is asking for privacy during the grieving process.

To contribute to Keri's gofundme campaign, please  CLICK HERE.

"Moms of Conejo Valley" is also hosting an additional fundraiser for the family:
Additional donations in the form of:
Gift Cards (restaurants, target, grocery store, etc.) 
Clothing (Boy size 4t, Girl size 5t & Boy size 10/12) 
And of course anything else you may think of!
Drop offs can be made: 
Wednesday-Friday 4:00 thru 7:00 and Saturday 9:00-3:00 
At Jacob Flame's Tang Soo Do University, in Newbury Park, CA.
Please email momsofconejovalley@yahoo.com with any other questions.

Additionally, the Weathersfield Elementary Student Council and PTA are collecting gift cards for the family. If anyone would like to donate, they can drop them off at the front office at Weathersfield Elementary. Address is 3151 Darlington Drive, Thousand Oaks. Anyone who wants more information can email Laura at:  lmcdermott@conejousd.org.

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Susan Smith, Simi Valley, mother and wife
Susan Smith was beloved by all in her role as an admin at Vista Elementary in Simi Valley. Friends who created her gofundme account have this to say about Susan: Our friend and co-worker, Susan Smith, of Simi Valley, CA was a devoted wife and mother.  She was senselessly murdered while enjoying the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017 with her daughter and co-workers. We are asking our Simi Valley community as well as our CSEA union family to help her family cope with any expenses.  We ask that you respect her family and co-worker's privacy during this grieving process.
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Susan's family has given this fundraiser their okay and are very touched by the outpouring of love and support from the community. 

To contribute to Susan's gofundme campaign, please CLICK HERE.

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Laura Shipp, Thousand Oaks, mother
Laura was a TOHS Alum, class of '85, those who set up her fund had this to say: The Shipp Family needs your help in raising money in memory of Laura A Shipp. The Route 91 was a time for celebration, fun, music and more. Laura and her son Corey were big concert goers, especially when it came to country. They had already spent two great and amazing days at the festival and were part of the 22,000 in attendance for that night. No one could have expected for the events to unfold.

Sadly, Laura was among those that did not survive her injuries. There were many great people in her life, and her son above all is one of them. He works at a local Chili's restaurant in Las Vegas and we are here to support him and his family through this hard time.  Any assistance you can offer in helping them cover any sort of costs is greatly appreciated. 

To contribute to Laura's gofundme campaign, please CLICK HERE.

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Keith Mineo, Newbury Park, father
Keith was shot, but is expected to recover physically from his wounds. His sister writes: Our brother Keith Mineo was present at the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas during the shooting on October 1st. He sustained a serious gunshot wound and is currently hospitalized in stable condition. Keith is a self-employed contractor and we are looking to raise funds to help Keith with medical and living expenses while he goes through recovery.  We appreciate any contribution. Please feel free to share this link.

​Please keep Keith and his fiance Jessie and baby Beckham in your thoughts and prayers at this time. We will continue to update on his condition as we receive more information.
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To contribute to Keith's gofundme campaign, please CLICK HERE.

MEAL TRAIN FOR KEITH'S FAMILY CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.

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Chris Hazencomb, Thousand Oaks
Chris was a TOHS class of '91 alumni. His friend who set up his campaign write: On the evening of Oct 1st we lost a dear friend of mine. He had been with me having fun at the Route 91 Harvest festival. As we were listening to the artist he wanted to watch most, a tragic event occurred and unfortunately he did not make it. He was a very kind man that everyone loved dearly. He will be missed by many. As we are dealing with this loss, I am also thinking of his kind mom and the struggles she is about to go through. Since they live in California she will have to deal with taking him home to rest and starting a new life without him. If you can please help us raise money to help her through this I would greatly appreciate it.

To contribute to Chris's gofundme campaign, please CLICK HERE.

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