National Compassion Fund and Mueller Create Aurora/Pratt Survivors’ Fund

• Josh Pinkard joined Mueller 13 years ago in the Albertville, AL, facility and relocated to Aurora in the spring of 2018 to lead the team as plant manager.
• Russ Beyer was an employee of Henry Pratt for more than 20 years, during which time he held many different jobs in the plant. He served as union chairman.
• Vicente Juarez joined Henry Pratt in 2006. He was a member of the shipping and warehouse team in Aurora, and had held several other jobs previously in the warehouse.
• Clay Parks joined the Henry Pratt team in November 2018 as human resources manager responsible for Aurora, Hammond, IN, and Denver.
• Trevor Wehner joined the Mueller team as a human resources intern on February 15. He was a student at Northern Illinois University with an expected graduation date in May 2019.

The National Compassion Fund, a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime, will administer the fund with support from GoFundMe and Mueller Water Products. The fund will provide direct financial support to the families and 100% of the donations to the fund will go directly to those survivors.

“As our community continues to heal from the tragedy that occurred on February 15, we’ve witnessed truly incredible support from the Aurora community and our colleagues and friends across the country,” said Scott Hall, president & CEO of Mueller Water Products, Atlanta, GA. “We have also been moved by the countless individuals and businesses asking how they can help. We are proud to be partnering with the National Compassion Fund to help us reach people in Aurora and beyond who are looking for ways to support those impacted by these heartbreaking events. This fund will make it simple for anyone looking to support the families and affected Henry Pratt employees as they begin on their path to healing.” Mueller Water Products will contribute to the fund and cover all administrative costs.

“On February 15, families lost loved ones who were simply doing work that they loved. Our hearts go out to them all,” said Jeff Dion, executive chairman of the National Compassion Fund. “It is an honor to work with GoFundMe and Mueller Water Products to help these victims deal with important needs at a time of unspeakable grief.”

Contributions made to the fund are tax deductible. The National Compassion Fund will manage the distribution of the funds in partnership with GoFundMe, which will facilitate the collection of the donations.

There are several ways to contribute. Those interested in contributing by credit card can donate online to the Aurora/Pratt Survivors’ Fund through GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/auroraprattsurvivorsfund. Checks can be made payable to the National Compassion Fund – Aurora/Pratt Survivors’ Fund and sent to:

National Compassion Fund
ATTN: Aurora/Pratt Survivors’ Fund
1450 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

The National Compassion Fund – which will act as the repository and administrator for the Aurora/Pratt Survivors’ Fund – was founded in collaboration with parents and family members from some of the worst mass casualty events in U.S. history: September 11, Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois University, the Pulse Night Club, Sandy Hook Elementary and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Unlike other charitable funds, 100% of donations are distributed directly to the established victim base of these terrible atrocities. The National Compassion Fund has the experience to help victims and their families navigate this process and to treat victims with the respect and dignity they deserve. The fund also preserves the intent of donors who want to know that their gift is going directly to those harmed. For more information, visit the National Compassion Fund website, www.nationalcompassionfund.org, for more information.

Mueller Water Products is a member of the Valve Manufacturers Association.

Barbara Donohue is Web editor for VALVE Magazine.