By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — More than $92,500 has been raised as of Monday morning in six separate online fundraisers for the victims and the survivors of attacks in Rockford last week.
GoFundMe has identified five verified fundraisers so far that benefit those injured and the families of those killed in the attack on Wednesday. A sixth fundraiser benefits the family of the young man fatally stabbed at Walmart on March 24.
“We’re working to verify fundraisers for the Rockford incident as they’re being created,” Ese Esan, communications manager for GoFundMe, said in an email.
More news: Rockford shop sets out to spread kindness after difficult week with pay-it-forward giveaway
Jacob Schupbach, 23, Romona Schupbach, 63, Jenna Newcomb, who would have turned 16 today, and Jay Larson, 49, were killed Wednesday afternoon in a mass stabbing and attack that spanned across several homes in a southeast Rockford neighborhood. Seven others were injured.
Jason Jenkins was killed Sunday, March 24, while working at Walmart on Northridge Drive.
GoFundMe has an internal Trust & Safety team that reviews and vets fundraisers to verify the money you provide is going where it is intended.
Here are the details of each verified fundraiser and where to donate:
Jason Jenkins
About: Jason Jenkins was fatally stabbed on Sunday, March 24 while working inside the Walmart on Northridge Drive. Jenkins, 18, was set to graduate this spring from Auburn High School.
The fundraiser will help support Jenkins’ family and provide college funds for his twin brother, Jasper.
“Jason’s presence illuminated our community, radiating warmth, kindness, and a spirit that touched the lives of all who knew him,” Jenkin’s fundraiser states. “As we grieve the loss of Jason, we come together to support his twin brother, Jasper, a talented and determined young man who is on the cusp of embarking on his college journey as he prepares to graduate from Auburn High School. Jason’s greatest desire was to see Jasper flourish and chase his dreams, and we are committed to ensuring that his wish lives on.”
To donate: Go HERE
Romona and Jacob Schupbach
About: Jacob Schupbach, 23, and his mother Romona Schupbach, 63, were among the four people killed Wednesday in a mass attack in a Rockford neighborhood.
They’ve been described as caring and welcoming people who made friends feel like family.
“I just consider them golden-hearted people,” Tyson Parks, whose wife, Rebekah, organized the fundraiser, said outside a vigil last week. “My last name is Parks, and they made me feel like a Schupbach.”
The fundraiser will pay for memorial services happening this week at Cross Point Church, 3215 E. State St., Rockford. The visitation is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and the funeral is 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
To donate: Go HERE
Jenna Newcomb
About: Jenna Newcomb, who would have turned 16 today, died while protecting her sister and a friend from the attacker.
“She’s always there for people when you need them,” Madison Owens, a sophomore at East and softball teammate of Newcomb, said last week. “She had a lot of love in her heart.”
Newcomb’s sister, Sarah, was hospitalized with her injuries and was recovering in the intensive care unit as of late last week.
The fundraiser was organized by friends and coworkers of Newcomb’s father with all money raised going to the family.
To donate: Go HERE
Lindsay Craig
About: Lindsay Craig was making a quick midday stop at home when the suspect broke into her home and attacked her with a knife. She fled the home but he chased her down and continued his attack until Keith Fahrney, who was driving by in Jeep, stopped to help. Police arrived while Fahrney was trying to prevent the man from stealing his Jeep.
“Lindsey is still in the hospital, though with wonderful doctors she will have minimal scarring,” the fundraiser states. “We don’t know yet the amount time or money it will take her to heal, but the mental trauma will last for a lifetime.”
To donate: Go HERE
Keith Fahrney
About: Keith Fahrney was driving toward his home when he saw Lindsay Craig being attacked and got out of his Jeep to intervene.
“He jumped in to help without any regard for his own life and distracted this man from further hurting the woman,” the fundraiser states. “When the man attempted to steal his Jeep while he was tending to the woman, he courageously opened the door and threw the man out of the car. This was just enough to distract the man. Keith did not know at the time was that he had been stabbed in the process of protecting his property.”
Police arrived while Fahrney was struggling with the suspect and made the arrest.
Authorities have called his actions heroic and he’s been described as a Good Samaritan.
To donate: Go HERE
Weber, Vollmann and Gilfillan
About: Jessica Gilfillan is raising funds for her mother, brother and sister — Darlene Weber, Jacob Vollmann and Cathy Gilfillan — who were all injured in Wednesday’s attack. Authorities say a 22-year-old man attacked all three with a knife after he had already killed three other people.
“To take off work for their mental health during this time, they must take leave without pay,” the fundraiser reads. “To ensure that they are able to survive during their leave, We are asking for donations to cover bills, living expenses, and their lost wages for the 14 days.”
To donate: Go HERE