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.

[vacrn]

Keep on pinging! Thank you!

[Lanza]

Thanks for the pings on the VD threads today.

[PoisedWoman]

would buy a lot of weed, beer, and very friendly friends

You nailed it! Party time at the VDs, everyone. Clothing optional. Y'all come. (NO, I don;t mean THAT.)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I do not know the bible by heart. I really believe that Jesus taught us to use our brain and apply our knowledge to our enviornment. Thus using our Christian beliefs and actions to make the world a better place. I don't agree that we should take everyhting the Bible says literaly.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

That is right. I believe it is our duty to condem the way the VAn Dams have choosen to raise their children. I believe it is our duty to the children and to future parents. This whole discussion began with one's right to pass judgement based upon past knowledge. I still don't think it is wrong and in fact I hope we as a society can continue to pass judgement vocally on other horrible behavior.

I think it benefits our society to say there are some behaviors that are not acceptable when rasing children.

[Freedom2specul8]

Yes, their personal lives suck and they are very self-centered..kind of like Hugh Hefner, and Ted Turner....but according to all accounts, the kids were very happy, well adjusted and behaved...unlike the kids of addicts, druggies and alcoholics. Thanksfully, the counselor will report any suspicions of abuse to the authorities because if she doesn't, she can be charged with a crime. (according to what I understand)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I don't trust reports that the children were happy , secure and well behaved. No one will ever know what is going on inside. I am the child of someone like you described. No one knew what I was thinking or feeling. Not any therapists, teachers ,neighbors or friends. The VanDams may not have killed their daugher, however I don't think their parental obligations were ever carried out.

[Freedom2specul8]

No one will ever know what is going on inside

Amen...Children of alcoholics DO know how to hide their feelings..(I know too) But, a really good counselor may be able to recognize the classic COA...HOPEFULLY. It is hard to find good counselors...if this person who is helping them only works with trauma and grief...we may never know the truth. I DO AGREE, that being forced to live in an alcoholic is abusive..whether the child (and adult child)thinks so or not.

[rolling_stone]

Court TV up now war of words between Rick Roberts and Mark Klaas.....

[Freedom2specul8]

ThNKx! I'm off to go watch..

[Amore]

I hope one of you will post a synopsis or something of whatever it was on Court TV re: Roberts & Klaas. Sounds interesting.

[rolling_stone]

Basically Klass acused Roberts of "Character Assasination" of the Van Dam's and it was somewhat heated..apparently Rick Roberts has known Klaas for years but they did not see eye to eye on this subject, kinda like some of our early threads, talking about the parents lifestyle vs concentrating on finding the child...

[Amore]

Thanks. That is how one would have expected it to go. Nothing unexpected or worth noting, I guess?

[Hildy]

I'm not going to get into this with you again, but your implication that they're happy that their daughter died so they can make money is beyond insane. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THEM.

[Freedom2specul8]

I'm bumming..it's not on and I'm lookign for reference to it on their website..

[Freedom2specul8]

Thanks for telling us...was that on catherine crier?

[Freedom2specul8]

...happy that their daughter died ...

It's pretty sick to assume something like that..

[Freedom2specul8]

Ok, we missed it..it was on a couple of hours ago here...It'd be nice if they would replay it. Glad to here klaas speak out....sounds like he might have did good.

[Freedom2specul8]

What position did Crier take if any?