MADISON, Wis. — The City of Madison, including its leaders, residents, businesses and community organizations, have stepped up to rally around the families affected by the deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS).
On Monday, Dec. 16, a 15-year-old female student killed another teenage student and a teacher at the private Madison school, police said. The shooter also died. Another six people were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from “minor” to “life-threatening,” according to police.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County spent much of Friday organizing, packing and delivering toys.
Lindsay Broms, the organization’s senior vice president of development, said Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County deliver presents to kids and families across Wisconsin every holiday season.
“We want to serve those youth and families who need us most,” she said.
This year, that includes families from ALCS.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County is getting help from a family who understands the terror those ALCS children and families experienced.
Nicole Polarek, her husband and their children survived the deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, in 2022. When they heard about the shooting in Madison, they immediately started a toy drive for families from the school.
They worked with a therapist to develop a wish list of toys that can help kids cope with trauma. It includes things such as art supplies, coloring books, lego kits and stuffed animals.
“She knew how much of the tragedy affects the overarching community,” Broms said. “She volunteered to help kindly by providing toys as well as other items that help with the trauma of the occurrence on Monday.”
Focused Interruption, a group in Madison that works to end gun violence, is helping with the effort.
“The toys are not going to fix everything, but it will balance the things out for some young folks as they continue to still not only mourn from the losses, but then also being able to just say, ‘Hey, this is a tragic incident to happen for our community,’” said Anthony Cooper, the founder of Focused Interruption, said.
Cooper said it will take time for everyone — especially the children — to process what happened and heal.
“These are young people that are navigating the community,” Cooper said. “They all need hope. Our parents need hope as well. This has affected everyone.”
Broms said this toy drive is another example of what this community can do when it comes together.
“Our mission here is to support young people and families who need us most,” she said. “Right now, that really feels like the Madison community as a whole. We’re all grieving. We all have space for those who were affected on Monday by the tragic events.”