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.

[wheezer]

How very "Christian" of all of you to doubt,

Save the condescention for someone else.

These people are creepy crawlers, and after listening to them and dilligent manner in which they chose to parent, I'd consider my prediction on how they allocate the booty rather charitable.

[Buckeroo]

LOL

[newzjunkey]

Is that $5000 check the one their spokesperson had said had already been given (when interviewed on local radio!) to Laura recovery and Laura recovery is still waiting for?

Pity for the people who donated and probably couldn't afford to. The RIGHT thing to do is REFUND the donations. I notice no where is that mentioned as even under consideration. I hate this case.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Shame on you.

To each his own, Hildy, but I think it should read "shame on them" (the van Dams). No matter how hard you try to defend them, their lifestyle deserves condemnation and questioning their use of anything connected to this tragedy seems fair game.

I believe it was confirmed by Nordstrom that BVD and friends were recently on a little shopping spree. Apparently Brenda was enjoying trying on some very $$$ clothes.

I think their every move should be regarded with a skeptic's eye. Their track record speaks for itself.

I wonder how you will defend their book deal, which I'm sure is being worked out as we speak. I guess they will be happy to get the trial over with so they can scoop up some more profit.

You are entitled to think that the critics are cruel. I, however, have observed too much to believe that they are the typical grieving family and their lives seem to be moving along quite well. The van Dams and money are likely a formula for something very selfish.

[RedWhiteBlue]

the van Dams are considering establishing a local foundation to conduct searches for missing San Diego children.

IMO the Laura Recovery Center should get every penny of the donations that were not spent on flyers, etc. They came to the rescue of Danielle and did a fine job. What would be gained by setting up a new organization? The Van Dams are not considering this move to help abducted children, since that need is already being met through the Laura Recovery Center. I suspect that the reason they want to do this is so that they can pay themselves a salary as the administrators of the foundation. They smell a potential windfall of a great deal more than $20k.

[fivecatsandadog]

just thought of something. Where did DW store his RV?

[wonders]

From all LRC did, it seems to me LRC spent more than $5,000 on the search effort for Danielle. It seems beyond tacky that they'd only give $5,000.

I remember reading that Douglas Pierce said that the LRC people didn't suspect Brenda, but did supsect Damon. Not those exact words, but to that effect. Could be why the VDs only want to give the least possible to LRC? Does anyone else remember Pierce saying that?

[MizSterious]

On another thread, someone posted a map--but it seems to have been some miles away from his house, across narrow and winding roads. It wasn't parked in his driveway that night, apparently. Thanks for the flag!

[MizSterious]

Next time post it as its' own thread! Grrrr ;-)

Ahh, more stories buried here. Sometimes when we bury a good article amongst others, it doesn't get pulled so quickly by those who disagree with the article's viewpoint. Doesn't always work, but sometimes it does.

[FresnoDA]

"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.

Sara Muller Fraunces to lead new marketing effort

As part of the effort to more effectively position San Diego State for success, Sara Muller Fraunces has joined University Advancement as Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
Fraunces will be in charge of the team that conducts media relations, publishes SDSU Magazine, Weekly and SDSU Insider, and performs a variety of other duties related to University marketing and communications. Her primary focus, however, will be on strategic planning, community relations and crisis management.
"We're delighted to have Sara's expertise now within the University," said Vice President for Advancement Theresa Mendoza. "She brings a new perspective to our effort to herald the strengths of SDSU and the contributions our faculty, students and alumni make to the region and beyond."
Fraunces comes to SDSU from a long tenure at San Diego's largest and best-known public relations agency, Stoorza, Ziegaus & Metzger, Inc. where she was senior vice president.
A recipient of numerous industry awards. active in community organizations, serving on several boards of directors and running marathons for charity.
Fraunces and the entire Marketing and Communications team is housed on the fourth floor of Centennial Hall.

---

So....where did the VD's meet Ms. Fraunces?   Could she be a Dad's regular?

 

[CARepubGal]

My first thought was that the VD's will try & take the money for themselves. They don't come across as compassionate people. And Barry Minkow as a trustee of the money is a very wierd choice, minister or not. It is a bit like having the fox guard the henhouse.....

[wonders]

Maybe you know the answer to my last question in post #27? I do remember reading that! Thought you might know the news article that reported this. Thanks!

[Pagey]

Why anyone would give/send them money is beyond me.What's the thinking there?Ohhhhh,maybe they'll adopt a child now?To help them upgrade their alarm system?Just think those 2 other kids still have to go to school and live through all of this.That's unfortunate.Having that party room w/ special locks in the garage,still makes the mind wander.

[fivecatsandadog]

Fresno, take a look at my post #19.... QUALCOMM!

[Freedom2specul8]

thnx for the update..

[Freedom2specul8]

FYI

If any of you are tired of being ''pinged'' to the vd threads, let me know..

[Freedom2specul8]

Next time post it as its' own thread! Grrrr ;-)

Sometimes when we bury a good article amongst others, it doesn't get pulled so quickly by those who disagree with the article's viewpoint.

Registered--there is a difference between censorship and following JimR's posting guidelines. Sometimes, peoples words/posts (NOT ARTICLES) just bite them back in the butt if you know what I mean. LOL

[RnMomof7]

Thanks for the ping...

[Freedom2specul8]

Yer welcome.

[Tennessee_Bob]

How about Ephesians, 4:29?