The community is helping three children left without parents after a murder-suicide in the Village of Harrison.
It started with a Facebook post asking for donations and it ballooned into thousands of dollars in gift cards collected for Sara Schmidt's children.
The mother of three was murdered last week after filing for divorce from her husband, Robert. He was facing charges for allegedly tying Sara up, pointing a gun and sexually assaulting her on New Year’s Eve. When he got out of jail on bond, he shot and killed Sara, before turning the gun on himself.
In the wake of the tragedy a collection started of gift cards to restaurants, movie theaters and more to donate to Sara’s three children left behind.
A trust fund has also been set-up at Fox Communities Credit Union. They're accepting cash and check donations at all 22 branches.
"Fox is just glad that we can partner with this family to help benefit them, but the community has been supporting and rallying this family and many calls for wanting to help or give donations," said Renee Minlschmidt, senior branch manager at Fox Communities Credit Union.
Design Air, the company where Sara Schmidt worked is pledging to match all donations to the trust fund up to $100,000 over five years.
The company’s president released this statement:
“Sara had a tremendous impact at Design Air and will be greatly missed. This is our opportunity to support what mattered most to Sara, her children. We hope that by matching funds raised for the education and care of her children it will encourage the community to donate.” -- Mike Gallagher, President
If you would like to support the trust fund, you can also mail your donation:
3401 E Calumet St, Appleton, WI 54915
