WSAW NewsChannel 7 and FOX WZAW helped to raise $331,285 to benefit the families of the victims of a deadly shooting in the Wausau community. “This tragic event brought out an unprecedented amount of support from the community,” said Al Lancaster, WSAW/WZAW-TV Vice President and General Manager. “We live in a very special place.”

On March 22, 2017 four people lost their lives in three separate but connected shootings in three Marathon County communities. Dianna Look, 67, and Karen Barclay, 62, were killed while working at Marathon Savings Bank in Rothschild. Sara Quirt Sann, 43, was killed at her law office at Tlusty, Kennedy and Dirks in Schofield. Detective Jason Weiland, 40, of the Everest Metro Police Department was fatally shot while responding to the final crime scene at the Aspen Street Apartments in Weston.

The campaign, recognized as the Victims Family Fund, was established just one day after the deadly shootings. The Victims Family fund was organized and supported by supported by River Valley Bank and Central Wisconsin Media Partners.

WSAW NewsChannel 7 and FOX WZAW provided public service announcements encouraging members of the community to donate to the Victims Family Fund. Additionally, WSAW and WZAW dedicated time in their newscasts to remind viewers how they can help support the Victims Family Fund.

The campaign, originally slated to run from March 23 to April 30, was extended an extra month thanks to an influx of contributions. Donations to the Victims Family Fund were made at River Valley Bank locations throughout Northcentral Wisconsin. River Valley Bank generously matched the first $25,000 in donations. All of the money raised in the campaign was given directly to help the surviving families of the four victims who lost their lives.