Vancouverites donate blood, fundraise, attend vigils and memorials to support victims and families
As the community continues to reel from the tragic incident at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party on Saturday night, Vancouverites have responded with a tangible wave of solidarity and support.
Vigils, memorials and moments of silence have occurred across the city. Fundraisers have doubled their targets and large sums of people are heading to donate blood.
A VPD news release on Sunday said some of the eleven people who were killed remain unidentified, noting that the victims’ ages range from five to 65.
It added that dozens of people were injured with some in hospital after a 30-year-old man drove his vehicle into a crowd of people celebrating Lapu-Lapu Day.
The Filipino day of celebration honours Lapulapu, a national Indigenous hero from the 1500s known for resisting and defeating Spanish forces in the Battle of Mactan, thus delaying their occupation.
On Thursday, the province declared the next day, Friday, May 2, as an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the tragedy. It recognized the “profound impact” on the entire community and province.
Community gathers to share grief and solidarity
The largest memorial is found at the corner of Fraser St. and 41st, just blocks away from where the incident occurred.
Hundreds of people have visited each day since – laying flowers, signs, pictures, notes, bouquets, stuffed animals and candles.
It has been a gathering point for those grieving, and the pain is tangible. Tears, hugging and prayers hold a constant presence at the corner.
Family members, survivors and community members have stopped to pay their respects to the victims and those affected.
Vancouver Fire Chief Karen Fry and members of the department attended on Tuesday, emotions running high as they laid flowers and a yellow fire hat with a message of support on it — “Our hearts are with you.”
Fry acknowledged the tragic loss of life and the impact it has on the families, adding “we’re feeling probably just as lost as the rest of the community.”
A smaller memorial can be found outside of Kensington Community Centre, with people coming by for a quiet moment or to write a message for the victims.
Blood donation appointments fill-up quickly
Various organizations have suggested people support those affected by the tragedy by donating blood, and Vancouverites responded.
The Canadian Blood Services website said they have experienced a “strong show of support” and that appointments in Vancouver are booking quickly.
On Friday, its website showed that all three Vancouver locations were almost completely booked for the next three weeks.
Appointments are still available at other locations around the Lower Mainland.
Chloe Bottrell donated blood for the first time ever, saying “I really just wanted to show my support.”
Bottrell, who is half Filipino, said she was devastated when she heard of the incident, adding that she and her mom had nearly attended the event.
She hopes that by contributing to the blood supply, she can help those still in the hospital. “I wish there was more I could do,” she said.
“It’s really affected my heart,” Bottrell said. “I just want them to know that we’re there to support in any way that we possibly can.”
Tien Nguyen also came to donate blood in hopes of helping the people who had been injured at the block party, but had to reschedule due to personal reasons.
“I can really feel the warmth of the community too, because I know people are also doing the same thing,” he said. “It’s very admirable.”
Nguyen said he appreciates the different actions that have arisen in response to the tragedy and noted that the Vietnamese community will be having a prayer night at the Bao Lam Pagoda for those affected.
Fundraiser campaigns exceed expectations.
Dozens of GoFundMe campaigns have been launched, with most raising over $50,000 within just 48 hours — two to three times their original targets. Several surpassed the $100,000 mark, and one, for the lone teenage survivor of a family of four, notably exceeded $500,000.
Sixteen-year-old Andy Le lost his parents and five-year-old sister in the tragedy. The GoFundMe campaign for Le, like many other verified fundraisers for victims and their families, quickly surpassed its initial goal.
Donations for the fundraiser for Le were disabled on Tuesday due to its success, just two days after being created.
In a video message posted to the page on Wednesday, Le thanked his supporters saying “I truly appreciate each and every one of you.”
Le said he’ll be donating 266 thousand dollars from his fundraisers to other victims as “many other families are hurting too.”
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