Perry, IA — In a heartfelt response to a tragic school shooting at Perry High School that shook the local community, nearly $145,000 has been raised to aid the witnesses and victims, officials said Wednesday. The funds are designated for the students and staff who either witnessed the harrowing event or saw videos of the crime that occurred on January 4th. The tragic incident claimed the lives of Ahmir Jolliff, an 11-year-old middle school student, Principal Dan Marburger, and left others among the school’s community wounded before the shooter, 17-year-old student Dylan Butler, ended his own life.
In the wake of the tragedy, two separate funds were swiftly established at Raccoon Valley Bank—one for Jolliff’s family and another for general community support. However, due to state regulations, the Perry Community School District had to appoint a new account and a third-party administrator to manage the fund distribution. In response, the school board named Lou Hoger, Joseph Shelly, and Donna Emmert as the fund’s administrators in May.
“Our goal is to ensure that these funds reach those most affected by the tragedy,” said Hoger. “Determining the rightful beneficiaries is a delicate and critical responsibility.”
Hoger explained the criteria developed for fund eligibility: recipients must have directly observed the shooting or related footage and suffered physical or emotional harm. Applicants are required to submit detailed information by July 15, followed by interviews with the administrators to ascertain their eligibility.
“The process we have set might seem quite subjective, but we’re committed to fairness and empathy throughout,” Hoger added, highlighting his past experiences that include working with trauma teams and in victim recovery which, he believes, equip him to manage the funds aptly.
In addition to his technical expertise, Hoger emphasized the importance of understanding emotional responses to trauma. “Anger often masks deeper pain and fear,” he noted. “I’ve learned it’s crucial to see past the surface emotions to truly understand and help someone heal.”
Amid the logistical complexities of fund distribution, there exists profound community support. Some parents expressed concern about the invasive nature of interviews, prompting a reevaluation of the necessity for direct victim participation in certain cases. “Flexibility and sensitivity to each applicant’s circumstances are paramount in our approach,” Hoger reassured.
The administrators have yet to finalize the amount each beneficiary will receive as the application assessments continue. Those interested in applying for aid can contact the One Perry Recovery Fund for more details.
As the fund efforts progress, Hoger also hopes that this initiative will help bring the Perry community closer together rather than drive them apart. “It’s about healing and building resilience as a community,” he said. “Knowing that so many people will benefit from the collective support should be a unifying force in Perry.”
Further, the school community honored Principal Marburger and the other victims in its latest graduation ceremony, inspiring a wave of solidarity and remembrance that likely will persist as the town continues to recover and rebuild from the January tragedy.