Mountain Top Coffee Downtown Waukesha

Where to Donate and Help in Waukesha County

With the horrible tragedy that happened at the Waukesha parade, many in our community are in need and traumatized from what they have witnessed. If you want to help, but don’t know where to start, see below. 

This is an active and living post and will be updated as more information comes in. You can also click/tap through to the Facebook post to join the conversation. Thank you for being an amazing community. ❤️

Counseling services are also available at Waukesha South High School.  

We are Community

Organizations to Support in Waukesha County

Waukesha County Community Foundation, and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County have joined together to create the “United for Waukesha Community Fund.”
This fund will support the needs of the families impacted from Sunday’s tragic incident at the annual Waukesha Christmas Parade.
You can donate money directly to the Foundation or you can purchase items from local businesses to have money go to the Foundation:
  • Purchase a yard sign from Avalon Graphics in Hartland for $20. 100% of these proceeds will go towards the Foundation.
  • Waukesha WINGS Hockey Co-op Fundraiser 

Many of these organizations are in need of financial support as well as physical donations, specifically blood donations. Please visit the website of each to see how best to serve. Thank you for helping our community thrive in the face of a community tragedy. There is a conversation going on in the Lake Country Parents and Community Facebook Group regarding blood donations and what is available on Monday morning. Join the conversation HERE.

Blood Donation Centers in Waukesha

Children’s Wisconsin

  • 15 patients had been brought in on November 21, 2021
  • Read more HERE.

ProHealth Care Hospitals in Waukesha County are in need of blood donations. 

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Are you experiencing emotional distress related to the #Waukesha holiday parade? The Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you. Call or text 800-985-5990 to be connected to a trained, caring counselor – 24/7.

Healing Hearts of Southeast Wisconsin

  • Offering peer support groups for adults and children

Local Food Pantries are in need of supplies.

Lake Area Free Clinic in Oconomowoc

  • If able, please consider making a monetary donation to the clinic through the link above.

The United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County

  • If able, they are currently seeking donations at this time to support funding of their programs in our communities. 

Waukesha County Health and Human Services

  • Offering an array of services for Waukesha County residents.
  • Financial assistance, parenting assistance, counseling and more.

Gals Institute

  • Offering mental health services
  • Encouraging those to contact the Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990. Call or Text.

On Purpose Psyche

  • Offering mental health services and teletherapy offerings. 
  • Encouraging those to contact the Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990. Call or Text.
  • Trauma and loss have collided in a single episode of mass violence in Waukesha County. There is heartache for the loss of loved ones, concern and anguish for first responders, businesses, witnesses on the scene, and a gaping wound in our communal sense of safety and security. For all those wondering where to start the healing journey, On Purpose is offering a series of opportunities over the next several weeks to answer that question.
      • Join On Purpose Psyche’s Grief & Loss division as they share important evidence-based resources on community trauma recovery and repair. 

        • Learn from the research on trauma and loss about how you can build resilience and manage the roller coaster of emotions that follow such incidents. Yes, they are talking about how to cope in your personal life, including best practices to mitigate the long-term effects of trauma.
        • Find out how to speak to your children, family members, coworkers, and those not in your community to help them manage their fears and anxieties. (It is about how you say what you say, who you share your story with, and the compassionate language you use as you do so). 

        • Discover what other communities have done to rebuild their faith when their “it will never happen here” core belief was shattered. You can recover, and knowing the strength of our Waukesha residents, you will.

        • Sessions will be virtual and brief, lasting just 2 hours. All sessions are open to the public and are free of charge.
        • Sign up HERE.
      • Join On Purpose Psyche’s Coming Together to Heal Through Art
        • When words are not enough… On Purpose Psyche in conjunction with Natalie Sorrentino, our therapeutic art specialist would like to offer to all children in the community participation in a drop-in creative art session that is focused on processing their emotions around the Waukesha Parade tragedy. Our children may be experiencing emotions that are too overwhelming to verbalize at the moment. In our Coming Together to heal through art group, we invite participants to let their hands speak for their hearts. They will be given the tools to communicate these experiences visually in a safe and supportive environment. Using the art-making process and with support from our Therapeutic Arts Specialist and an OPP Therapist, our participants will be able to explore any emotions they may be feeling around this tragic event.
        • When: This is a drop-in group, so please feel free to come in at any of the designated times listed on the website sign-up below.
          Where: 405 E. Forest Street Oconomowoc, WI 53066
          Cost: Free to the Community
          Sign Up: Please use the link HERE to sign up for a time that works for you. This helps us make sure that we have enough art supplies during that time.

Wisconsin Anxiety and Depression Clinic

  • Offering a free psychotherapy assessment and referral service to those affected by the tragedy, no commitment required.
  • People can schedule on the website, or call 262-682-3147. They will need to inform that they’re calling regarding the tragedy.
  • Located in Wales, but also offer telehealth to those interested.

Moms Mental Health Initiative

  • Email info@mmhimke.org for support 

The Salvation Army of Waukesha County

  • DONATIONS NEEDED

      • NONPERISHABLE FOOD –
        (Where possible, avoid items packaged in glass and opt for items packaged in sturdy cans, boxes or bags), including: Canned meals (soup, stew, chili), tuna, chicken (or other canned meats), boxed instant meals (mac and cheese, Hamburger Helper), peanut butter, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned beans, pasta and spaghetti sauce, rice, cereal, healthy snacks, flour and sugar.

      • BABY SUPPLIES –
        Formula, food, bottles, pacifiers, diapers and wipes.

      • HYGIENE PRODUCTS –
        Purchased and unused items such as hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, razors, deodorant, hairbrushes and combs, and feminine hygiene products.

      • CLEANING AND SANITIZING ITEMS –
        Antibacterial spray (such as Lysol), antibacterial wipes, bleach, dishwashing detergent and laundry detergent

      • PAPER PRODUCTS –
        Paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper.

Family Promise of Western Waukesha County

  • Helping homeless children regain and retain their independence
  • Currently looking for donations. Please see their wish list through the link above.

—-

There is a GoFundMe set up to support the Waukesha Xtreme Dance Team dancers. 

We have many dancers injured in the Waukesha Holiday parade from our mini team to our Elite team, by a senseless driver on Nov 21, 2021. These donations will help the families towards their medical bills, new costumes and any other items that were lost.
These girls spend hours upon hours together practicing, they are more like sisters then teammates. Their families are our families. We are all devastated by the tragedy and anything helps. No child should ever have to witness or go thru what happened on that day.
More information about Waukesha Xtreme Dance Team Ltd: Represent The Waukesha School District. Encourage A Love For Dance, Promote Involvement In The Community. Be A Postive Role Model For Peers. Provide Each Dancer With Confidence Sense Of Accomplishment And An Extended Family In The Dance World
 
There is a GoFundMe set up to support the Waukesha South Band.
Hi, my name is Kali Granzow and I’m the band director at Waukesha West High School, 1 of 3 high school bands that participated in the 58th annual Holiday Parade in Waukesha, when an SUV decided to speed down the parade route injuring many, including students of the Waukesha South Band. This traumatic event has brought our community together with heavy hearts. We are looking to help the South band with medical costs, new instruments, and uniforms, as well as any additional expenses that they may encounter due to this horrific event. Please donate what you can. We are one band family. We love and support each other. Thank you for your help.
There is a GoFundMe set up to support the family of Tamara.
 I am setting this up for my best friend whose mom, Tamara Carlson, sadly lost her life due to this horrific tragedy.
 
She was a proud mom, a phenomenal grandmother, a proud member of the Waukesha community and overall just one of the most kind-hearted people there were.
 
100% of these funds will go directly to the family to help with funeral costs and any additional expenses to help during this difficult time. Even if you aren’t able to give, please say a prayer, hold those close to you a little tighter & tell your loved ones that you love them.
There is a GoFundMe set up to support Tyler’s recovery.
Tyler is such a great and wonderful young man. He has so many talents and has the biggest heart. He, like many others, was involved in the horrific incident on Sunday afternoon, at the Waukesha Holiday Christmas parade. Tyler plays the saxophone with the Waukesha South Band. Tyler was in ICU and has underwent 2 surgeries already. He has a long road to recovery. 
Many of us want to help but some of us don’t know how. Donations for Tyler and his family is one way we can pull together for them. All monies will go towards whatever is needed for him medically in the months to come.
There is a GoFundMe set up for Jessalyn, who is an injured Waukesha Xtreme dancer.

Through the chaos yesterday, I finally got a text from Amber, the mom.  Her daughter Jessalyn, pictured moments before the attack, was one of the girls that was directly hit!

She is the dance group Waukesha Xtreme Dance and they were in the parade.  

Right now as Monday morning, Jessalyn is fighting for her life.

She is in ICU under heavy oxygen, having lost a kidney, broken pelvic, liver lacerations, lung damage, tachycardia and many blood transfusions.  

Prayers, hope and faith are being called upon right this minute!

 
Undoubtedly, this will cost a lot of money in medical bills and lost wages.  Amber is a single mom with 5 loving kids. I know the family and these are wonderful, awesome kids!
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated. 100% of your donation will do directly to the family, minus the GoFundMe fees. This holiday season will be a brutal one for them.
There is a GoFundMe set up for Julia
Julia is in the fight of her life. She is a victim of the senseless violence at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. Julia was with marching in the parade with her dance team bringing a smile to everyone’s face. Because that is who she is. Everyone that knows this little girl knows what joy she brings to the world. She has a heart of gold, a smile that can light up the room and is loved by so many. Julia has suffered brain trauma and is currently in the ICU at Children’s Hospital. Any donation, large or small, will help the family with medical bills and time away from work. All proceeds will go directly to the family. Please keep all victims in your thoughts, and hug those you love a bit more tonight.
There is a GoFundMe set up for the Sparks family.

While attending the Waukesha Christmas parade, an SUV tragically entered the parade route and struck 40 victims. Two of those victims were children, Tucker (age 12) and Jackson (age 8) Sparks. The entire family is devastated and their parents, Aaron and Sheri, are at the bedsides of their children who are both at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Tucker, is recovering, but sustained road rash and a fractured skull. They are closely monitoring his head and spine. He is stable at this time. Jackson, age 8, underwent brain surgery on Sunday evening. Doctors will be testing for brain function and brainstem activity today (Monday, November 22nd). He needs a miracle. 

The family is facing mounting medical expenses with two children receiving medical treatment, and time away from work. Any donation, large or small, is so appreciated and will make a big difference to the Sparks family. Aaron and Sheri are people of faith, so please continue to lift them and their boys in prayer. Even if you’re not able to give, please share their story.

There is a GoFundMe set up for Olivia.

Olivia is an 8year old girl that was dancing for her team when she was hit on Sunday during the Waukesha Christmas Parade.  She is suffering from two different brain bleeds and multiple other injuries.  The Stover family will be incurring large medical costs associated with her care due to this tragic event.  Any donations will go a long way toward helping this special little girl and her family during this rough time.

Find more GoFundMe causes for those involved HERE and HERE.
 

4 thoughts on “Where to Donate and Help in Waukesha County”

  1. I’d love to help out by cooking meals for any of the families affected by the tragedy last night. I was there with my family but we are safe. Please let me know what I can do.

    1. Hello Sarah – what an amazing offer. At this point, we don’t know all the families involved to know where they are to provide meals. I’m so glad you were with your family and safe and willing to help out in anyway!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.