Fundraisers: Community rallies around family
of slain woman
April 03, 2014
Go to: www.gofundme.com/7xq9l8
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula Times Go to: www.gofundme.com/7xq9l8
An online fundraiser has already raised more than $8,300 and other events are being planned to benefit the family of Norma Elizalde, gunned down by a stray bullet less than one week ago.
Daniel Luna started a gofundme.com web page for the 39-year-old wife and mother of two, an innocent bystander hit in the neck by a bullet after gunfire erupted near her home in the 1200 block of High Street on March 29 at about 1 p.m.
So far, the website has received donations of $8,735 towards its minimum $10,000 goal to help Elizalde's family with funeral and other expenses.
To donate visit: http://www.gofundme.com/7xq9l8
There will be a carwash Sunday, April 6 at Four Guys Liquor on the corner of East Main and 12th streets according to Police Chief Steve McLean, who noted, "The carwash is to raise funds for the family... and the chief of police himself will be washing cars," from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"If someone wants the chief to personally wash their car, they need to show up," said McLean.
There are also future fundraisers in the works: SPPD Sgt. Jimmy Fogata and Carla Edwards, founder of the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival, are working to organize a walk from the Police Memorial at the Railroad Plaza to Guadalupe Church.
"Chief McLean and the Santa Paula Police Officers Association will be hosting the walk to help raise money for Norma's family, we'll be asking for a donation of only $5 per participant that will benefit her loved ones."
Fogata said more details would be forthcoming as the details, including the date of the memorial walk, are finalized.
"We're just getting it organized now and we'll give people time to get it on their calendars... we want to do something for the family, to show the community cares about them, cares about Norma and how she was tragically taken from them."
In the interim those interested or who have questions can contact Fogata at jfogata@spcity.org
The Glen Tavern Inn is also exploring hosting a fundraising event that owner Rosanna Jennett expects to announce soon.
One suspect has been arrested in the slaying that occurred when Elizalde was struck by a stray bullet that passed through a window and exterior wall of her home and hit her in the neck while she was in the carport area at the back of her house.
