Money will help those injured at Columbine

By Holly Kurtz
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

Families of students injured at Columbine High School will split $1 million, the last mass distribution from Mile High United Way's special Columbine fund.

United Way, which has raised more than $4 million since the April 20 shootings, will honor the families' requests not to reveal how much each is getting, said spokeswoman Kelley Cahill.

The money will be allocated based on the families' long-term needs, which have been estimated by doctors, lawyers, tax consultants and even economists, Kelley said.

Some families have their checks. Others are still ironing out the details with United Way.

Randy Graves, whose son Sean was injured, said the money will be a big help. He wouldn't say how much his family will receive.

"We're very pleased and somewhat surprised," he said. "It's a nice gesture. It will help us meet his long-term needs."

Supplies, special equipment and modifying homes where Sean may live in the future will cost an estimated $1.2 million.

The fund this summer distributed $150,000 apiece to Graves, Richard Castaldo, Anne Marie Hochhalter and Pat Ireland, all students with brain or spinal cord injuries.

Another 21 injured students got $10,000 apiece in that distribution.

Families of the 12 students and one teacher killed by Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris received $50,000 apiece.

And more than $1.6 million went to charities and government agencies offering outreach programs designed to help those affected by the shootings and prevent further violence.

Although the United Way's Healing Fund is officially closed, money that continues to trickle in will go to the Colorado Organization for Victims Assistance, which will pass it on to families of the injured students.