Newtown Bee editor warns of scams and skimmers, guides us to a bank-operated fund

An associate editor of The Newtown Bee, the locally owned daily newspaper in Newtown, Conn., is offering a warning and some guidance, through his newspaper colleagues, about donations to victims of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. (Photo via The Poynter Institute)

"The outpouring of support has been and continues to be overwhelming," John Voket writes. "But it has created opportunities for scams and legitimate organizations that are taking pass-through and/or processing expenses before delivering donations being made. Newtown Savings Bank has assured me through its president and CEO that its survivors fund will be distributing 100 percent of every donation to assure the immediate victims are being cared for - including any expenses related to specialized counselors and responders who need to be brought in and put up in close proximity to Newtown. I will be discussing with them in the near future ideas about how any future surplus from donations can continue to serve victims and especially children affected by this and other similar tragedies."

Voket says more information on the fund is available at www.nsbonline.com. "Having friends of my own who lost children, and many more who were immediate to the incident, I can't begin to articulate the horror this unwanted event has showered on us, but your thoughts and prayers will make a significant and positive difference."