Tucson’s Fort Lowell Records and Music Against Violence are pleased to announce Luz de Vida: A Compilation to Benefit the Victims of the Tucson Tragedy. The record will be released on Oct. 18, during the international Week Without Violence. It will be available in two formats, a 37-track digital album and a special limited-edition 12-song vinyl release, with exclusively Tucson bands. All proceeds from the sale of Luz de Vida will go to the Tucson Together Fund, the official fund established to assist victims, families, and witnesses of the January 8th tragedy.

The compilation includes songs from Tucson bands Calexico, Giant Sand, Rainer, Tracy Shedd, Dead Western Plains, Lenguas Largas, Salvador Duran, Kiss and The Tells, Holy Rolling Empire, Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta, and many others.

Additionally, national artists with a special bond to Tucson have contributed music, including Neko Case, Spoon, DeVotchKa, Jimmy Eat World, Meat Puppets, Robyn Hitchcock, Ozomatli, John Vanderslice, Chuck Prophet and Jon Rauhouse with Rachel Flotard.

A benefit concert, featuring many of the Tucson bands that contributed to Luz de Vida, will be held at the Rialto Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 22. See a full track listing at www.musicagainstviolence.org. For further information, email press@musicagainstviolence.org

For Immediate Release: February 28, 2011

Contact: Bill Carnegie at (520) 904-8682 (Cell)

Or, Cheryl Bender at (520) 318-6868

TUCSON TOGETHER FUND REVIEW BOARD
BEGINS DISBURSEMENTS TO VICTIMS

Tucson, Arizona

The Tucson Together Fund Review Board has begun the process of providing funds to survivors of the Tucson shootings of January 8^th.  Letters have been sent to each of the 19 shooting victims resulting in the authorization of incidental payments for items not covered by Crime Victim Compensation Funds.

The Tucson Together Fund provides financial assistance to victims, witnesses and their families for expenses associated with the January 8^th tragedy.

The Tucson Together Fund will cover a variety of short-term and long-term expenses related to the tragedy, such as travel expenses, food and lodging.  Additionally, it may pay for some expenses that are ineligible under the Crime Victim Compensation Program such as loss of wages, funeral and counseling.  Any expense related to the victim, witness and families that are not covered fully by another source may be considered.

Procedures have been established to allow payments to family members and other victims.  “The board has worked hard to make the process as simple and fair as possible”, said Bill Carnegie, Board Chair. “Claims will be submitted to the Crime Victims Compensation Program in the County Attorney’s Office for review prior to submission to the Tucson Together Fund Review Board”.

At present, approximately $250,000 has been pledged to the fund from people across the United States.  The fund is being maintained by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

All victims will be contacted in the coming weeks and advised of the process to seek reimbursement for costs not covered by other sources.

Additional funding will be required to meet all the anticipated needs of victims of the tragedy.  Donations may be made online at www.tucsontogetheraz.com.

The Tucson Together Fund is the only officially sanctioned fund established to assist victims, families, and witnesses of the January 8th tragedy in Tucson, Arizona.

Chair
Bill Carnegie
President and CEO
Community Food Bank

Members
Cathy Batbie
Content Management Center Director
KVOA Television

Carol Gaxiola
Director
Homicide Survivors, Inc.

Kathy Goff
Director of Quality & Outcomes Management
University Medical Center

Patricia (Pat) Hemersbach
Former Pima County Victim Compensation Board Member (1998-2010)

Ray Lancaster
President/CEO
Pyramid Federal Credit Union

J. Clinton Mabie
CEO/President
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona

Evan Mendelson
Vice President, Donor Relations and Program Services
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona

Noni Menke
Vice President
Commerce Bank of Arizona

Bill Shaw
General Manager
KVOA Television

Contact

Daniel J. Benavidez
(520) 331-4989
daniel@agency42.net

For Immediate Release

Tucson Tragedy Victim Funds Merge:
Tucson Together Fund Is the Only Officially Sanctioned Fund Established to Serve Victims and Families

(February 10, 2011) Tucson, Arizona

The Tucson Together Fund is the only officially sanctioned fund established to assist victims, families, and witnesses of the January 8^th tragedy in Tucson, Arizona. Individuals interested in making a donation can visit our website at www.tucsontogetheraz.com

The Tucson Together Fund (TTF) will coordinate and channel resources to directly meet short and long term needs of those impacted by the tragedy. By bringing together the various funds established throughout the community, we have created a centralized, transparent process that will enable victims to swiftly receive payments for ongoing expenses associated with this terrible day.

Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall commented, “On Saturday, January 8^th, our community was forever changed.  In response to that terrible day, our neighbors, friends and family came together like never before.  The Tucson Together Fund will continue that effort, and will help the victims and their families get the assistance they need today, and for the long-term.”

Clint Mabie, CEO/President, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona stated, “When we were approached to help out with this effort, we instantly realized that it made sense.  Bringing these organizations together enables us to provide a way for the community to contribute, with the confidence that donations will go directly towards helping victims, witnesses and their families cope with the unexpected trauma and expenses associated with this terrible day.”

The Tucson Together Fund is a partnership of the following organizations:

• Pima County Attorney’s Office
• City of Tucson
• Safeway Tucson Tragedy Fund
• KVOA Tragedy in Tucson Fund
• Homicide Survivors, Inc.
• Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
• American Red Cross Southern Arizona Chapter
• Community Food Bank
• University Medical Center

Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup stated, “Tucson, and Southern Arizona, is a wonderful place that has been devastated by a terrible act.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.  Today we begin the long journey of recovery.”

Cathy Kloos, Director Public Affairs, Safeway, Inc. explained, “The Tucson Together fund enables us to thank everyone for their support for our employees, our neighbors, and our community.  By supporting Tucson Together, we are honoring not only our donors’ intentions but the memories of those taken from us, as well as those struggling to overcome the trauma of that morning.”

The Tucson Together Fund Review Board will be comprised of community members.  The initial board will include representatives from the following organizations:

• Community Food Bank
• American Red Cross Southern Arizona Chapter
• Safeway Foundation
• Pima County Attorney Victim Services
• Homicide Survivors, Inc.
• KVOA Tragedy on Tucson Fund
  
  

Karen Mlawsky, CEO of University Medical Center commented, “UMC is proud to be a part of Tucson Together Fund as the healing that started in our hospital now continues out in our community.   The Tucson Together Fund enables each of us to do their part to make our city a stronger, more connected community.  We encourage everyone to be part of this important effort.”

Carol Gaxiola, Director, Homicide Survivors, Inc. stated, “We know that once the cameras leave, and the services are held the real healing begins.  That healing can take many different turns and is unique to each person.  Tucson Together and Homicide Survivors will be there to help meet those future needs, as well as explain the judicial process, or just to hold hand or be a shoulder to lean on.”

C.J. Karamargin, Communications Director for U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, concluded, “On behalf of Congresswoman Giffords, and her staff, I want to express our gratitude to Tucson, Southern Arizona, the nation and the world for their outpouring of love and support.    These have been very difficult times, but, together, we will get through them.  Now is the time to look to he future and create a system where our community can continue to come together to support those impacted by this tragedy.  The Tucson Together Fund is the right approach at the right time.”

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