“Just a Dollar” Initiative  Raises Over $25,000 for Victims of Fatal RTA

While the students remain in need of funds for medical expenses, the families impacted by this weekend’s RTA have received donations to assist with the burial expenses of their loved ones. Today, the “Just a Dollar” initiative distributed its first amount of funds to the families impacted by the fatal RTA this weekend that claimed ten lives. Since its inception, our newsroom has been following this initiative closely. The idea all began with the owner of the Gully Grill, Andrew “Passy” Haylock bringing his concept to the community via a Facebook post stating that “Just a Dollar” from members of the community can make a difference in the lives of the families of the victims of the fatal RTA. The initiative gained traction and support from people at home and abroad and we can now report that the initiative has raised $25,680 leaving each family including survivors Janeli and Frank Burns with $2140.50. Love News spoke to Mayor of San Ignacio Santa Elena, Earl Trapp on the unity SISE has always been able to display as well as expressing the importance of not judging a situation you are not a part of. 

Earl Trapp, Mayor of San Ignacio / Santa Elena: “We are known to be a community of unity, a community that knows when to go out and party, a community that knows how to dance together, sing together, and in this case, a community that mourns together. What people must understand, and it’s sad we cannot mix oil and water here. We have to understand, we have to appreciate people for taking positive initiatives and stop criticizing, you know, stop pointing fingers if that is what you are talking about. But yes, it’s great. I love the initiative that Passy Haylock has undertaken and began with the dollar drive and getting some pledges to quicker fill up the can, which will be able to help the people. I’m not sure what are the numbers. It is sad if people are criticizing, but yes, maybe people are talking about transparency, but again, I mean people do things from the heart and people must understand that when someone takes an initiative, it’s for the betterment and to support the people that are most in need.”

The initiative has sparked many other fundraisers, as Mayor Trapp explained that the council is also assisting families in various ways. Trapp explained that the council plans to host an event to contribute to the families’ expenses. 

Earl Trapp, Mayor of San Ignacio / Santa Elena: “The council itself have always supported families in need as how we can. And we are stepping it up one step further this time because we are joining forces with a business in San Ignacio. And the business, this is separate from what the other guys have been doing. The business has decided to donate $10,000 towards the cause to share amongst the family of the victims. And what we will do, this $10,000 will be put aside and we will do fundraiser and we will do pledges that people can still support. So we are hoping to do this next week Friday. I will be doing announcements later tomorrow or early next week and where we will be doing it. And all the proceeds will be going, like I said, to the 10 families affected in this fatal and unfortunate accident.”

The initiative began on Monday and is ongoing. Donations can be made by contacting Haylock directly via social media, at his number 610-1632, by visiting The Gully Grill or they can donate online at Andrew Haylock, Belize Bank Account number 123827010220002