Van Dams undecided on how $24,000 will be used

Sign-on San Diego ^ | March 24, 2002 | Kristen Green

[fivecatsandadog]

After Danielle van Dam was abducted from her Sabre Springs home, neighbors, friends and even strangers volunteered to help out. Some put up fliers in storefronts around the county, and others joined the search party. But many also opened their checkbooks.

As of Friday, more than $33,000 had been donated by people from New Jersey to Oregon.

During the search for the 7-year-old, donations totaling more than $10,600 flowed into an account in Danielle's name. And since the discovery of her body in rural East County nearly a month after she was reported missing, an additional $22,800 has been deposited.

"We didn't go open an account and ask for money," said family friend Bill Libby, who handled donations for the van Dams. "I opened the account because people wanted to donate money."

Initially, the family expected to use the donations to pay for search expenses, like posters and fliers. After Danielle's body was found, the family Web site said additional donations would be used to pay memorial expenses.

But Libby said the family's expenses have been limited because of numerous donations, from fliers to cremation fees. So far, the van Dams have spent $4,200 of the donations to buy banners, posters and buttons. And they are writing a $5,000 check to the Laura Recovery Center, which coordinated the search for Danielle.

The family hasn't decided how to use the remaining $24,000.

"I'm sure in due time that they will turn their attention to the appropriate and productive use of those funds, but right now they're really still dealing with the loss of their daughter," said family spokeswoman Sara Muller Fraunces.

Close friends have suggested the van Dams take their time considering how the money will be used. Libby has said the funds could be used to pay for counseling for the family, and the van Dams are considering establishing a local foundation to conduct searches for missing San Diego children.

After Danielle's parents realized she wasn't in her bed the morning of Feb. 2, people began donating money to cover search expenses. Libby tried to open an account at Wells Fargo on behalf of the van Dams.

But the account had to be set up by a nonprofit organization, and a family friend who attends Community Bible Church in Scripps Ranch asked the pastor if the church would sponsor the account. Even though the van Dams aren't members of his congregation, the Rev. Barry Minkow agreed.

Minkow, who was convicted of securities and bank fraud in the late 1980s and served a 71/2-year prison sentence, doesn't have access to the van Dam account, church treasurer Bruce Brown said.

Brown said he is the only person who can withdraw money from the account, taking requests for checks directly from Libby, who acts on the van Dams' behalf.

[fivecatsandadog]

Of all the non-profit organizations, churches, etc. in San Diego, they picked this one. Interesting....

[mcjordansc]

Is this the carpet cleaning / mob money laundering teenage wiz kid?

[wheezer]

Van Dams undecided on how $24,000 will be used

I'm sure the fact that 24 grand would buy a lot of weed, beer, and very friendly friends was not lost on these two lowlifes.

[bvw]

Minkow's ZZZ Best, one of the biggest investment scams ever (pre-Enron, Global Crossing, that is).

[Cicero]

I expect they'll throw a really good orgy to help them get over the grief.

[Hildy]

How very "Christian" of all of you to doubt, without a shred of evidence, that the Van Dams will use this money for the good for which it was intended. Shame on you.

[chiefqc]

Lets Partyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

[mykdsmom]

The Mrs. may opt for some plastic surgery to increase her chances of snagging some "young" friends.

MKM

[fivecatsandadog]

Some family friends were identified:
"said family friend Bill Libby, who handled donations for the van Dams."
"said family spokeswoman Sara Muller Fraunces"

EXCEPT this one:
and a family friend who attends Community Bible Church asked the Pastor (B. Minkow, ex-con). Did this "friend" prefer not to be identified?

[Rodney King]

How very "Christian" of all of you to doubt, without a shred of evidence, that the Van Dams will use this money for the good for which it was intended. Shame on you.

Shame on you for shaming us with your high and mighty morality. These people have already demonstrated that they are completely disconnected from normal Judeo-Christian morality. It is not a far stretch to be concerned that people who had no qualms about drugs in orgies in the family home would have no qualms about using money inappropriately.

[fivecatsandadog]

"without a shred of evidence"

well, maybe not evidence, but something smells:

"Even though the van Dams aren't members of his congregation, the Rev. Barry Minkow agreed.
Minkow, who was convicted of securities and bank fraud in the late 1980s and served a 71/2-year prison sentence, doesn't have access to the van Dam account, church treasurer Bruce Brown said."

[fivecatsandadog]

The One and Only...Barry Minkow

[LibertyGirl77]

"...family spokeswoman Sara Muller Fraunces....

What is this world coming to?

[Thinkin' Gal]

Hmmm...

Matthew 12:43-45

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

[Registered]

bttt

[tutstar]

bump

[Registered]

I just noticed that you buried this article in one of the last articles on the vD's. Next time post it as its' own thread! Grrrr ;-)

[aShepard]

$24 grand could buy a lot of blow to go along with your cranberry vodka

[fivecatsandadog]

Sara Muller Fraunces

SDSU IN THE NEWS
San Diego State University received a corporate vote of confidence in April when Qualcomm gifted the University with $6 million to be divided between the Entrepreneurial Management Center, the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education, and the College of Education. The San Diego Daily Transcriptt and The San Diego Union-Tribune quoted Sara Muller Fraunces, SDSU associate vice president for Marketing & Communications, on the importance of continuing convergence between the private and public sectors.

Also did a search for Bill Libby.... Bill Libby - RV Salesman

[Diva Betsy Ross]

See this is the problem with America. People can and will DISCRIMINATE. It is called learning. People will pass judgement. It is called using a brain. You claim that the comment was made with out a shred of evidance. Ha- there is tons of evidence that these people are self serving. Those people admitted to placing sex, drugs and partying above the safety of their children. We all know it is foolish to have a party, get stoned and drunk and have casual sex in the bedroom next to your young children.

Perhaps the VanDams did not expect that one of their children would be murdered. But then again , what were they thinking. They admit to living immoral, self - centered lives. There should never be a probelm with others passing jusdgement or discriminating about behavior like that.

If we all went around never pasing jusgement, then we would live in choas. Alittle good judgemental thought goes along way to keeping a society in balance.b Why is it okay to condem sex with children, yet not condem casual drug induced sex orgaies in the presence of children?