It was, in the words of the mayor, the worst day in the history of Virginia Beach. On May 31, a former city engineer, who resigned his post that very day, shot and killed 12 of his co-workers in a major municipal building before dying himself in a shootout with police.

The news stunned the world and prompted an outpouring of grief in the local community as well as donations to support the families. Our client, the exceptionally philanthropic TowneBank, stepped up first, agreeing to provide $500,000.

So soon after the tragedy, it was not clear exactly how to allocate it, and although there was some internal sentiment to start a separate fund, Joel Rubin advised that it should go into one the city had just established with United Way of South Hampton Roads. “It just made sense to allow the city to be the intermediary with the parents, spouses, children and siblings of those who were killed and injured,” said Joel. “In addition Towne Retail and Private Banking President Dawn Glynn is the chairman of the board of the local United Way.”

Once the decision was made, Joel drafted a release and circulated it among the local media, not just to promote Towne’s leadership but also to encourage other companies to join the effort. Within days the Virginia Beach Tragedy Fund had eclipsed three million dollars. Towne asked that the first call on its donation be designated to cover funeral costs.

A few days later, a Towne branch near the site of the massacre hosted a banner where residents could sign their names and write a brief message to survivors. No amount of money or sentiment will ever fill the void felt by the families and colleagues of the slain employees in public works, utilities and other departments. We are happy, though not surprised, that TowneBank did not wait to do its part.