SPJ Florida Challenges Chapters to Donate to Capital Gazette Families Fund

On June 28, 2018, five members of the Capital Gazette newspaper staff in Annapolis, Maryland were shot and killed in their office in a mass shooting by a disgruntled reader.

That night, the newsroom continued to work and put out their Friday newspaper, paying tribute to the colleagues that they lost:

• Gerald Fischman
• Rob Hiaasen
• John McNamara
• Rebecca Smith
• Wendi Winters

There isn’t a more committed profession than journalism. Every day, we work hard to serve the public, protect the First Amendment, and report the truth. SPJ Florida is proud to contribute to the Capital Gazette Families Fund and calls on fellow SPJ chapters to donate to help our colleagues in Maryland.

The fund was created by the owner of the Capital Gazette and funds will be matched up to $1 million by The Michael and Jacky Ferro Family Foundation. The money will be used to “provide immediate relief and long-term recovery support to those individuals directly and indirectly affected by the tragedy.” This includes grief and trauma counseling, medical expenses that won’t be covered by insurance, funeral costs, and more.

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County will be managing the fundraiser.