KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Groups that organized after the Feb. 20 mass-murder in Kalamazoo to provide a reliable channel for gifts, donations and fundraisers to help survivors of incident are now reorganizing and rechanneling their efforts to include the victims of the latest cycling tragedy north of the city.
A spontaneous memorial has appeared at the scene of the deadly collision between an erratic driver in a blue Chevrolet pickup and an organized group of nine adult bike riders on North Westnedge Avenue, near the opening for Markin Glen Park and the Kalamazoo River Trail. Five died and four others remain hospitalized.
The Kalamazoo Strong Organization has organized a “silent ride” for Tuesday night to remember the victims of last night’s tragedy. It will begin at the Arcadia Festival Site at 6 p.m.
Kalamazoo Strong Financial Director Rachael Kaiser said they have also repurposed their crisis fund to accept donations for the victims and survivors of this latest tragedy. They had already scheduled a fundraiser with the Kalamazoo Growlers baseball team on the June 24 for the shooting victims. It will now be expanded to include the victims of the collision.
Representatives of the Kalamazoo Community Foundations, who partnered with the Battle Creek Community Foundation and other groups to maintain the Help Now Fund for the shooting victims, met Tuesday morning to discuss how to react to the tragedy on Tuesday.
