APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The shooting death of Appleton firefighter Mitch Lundgaard last week continues to be felt by many nationwide.
Donations have poured into an authorized GoFundMe account to benefit Lundgaard’s wife and three children.
But others appear to be taking advantage of those wanting to help.
“It’s unfortunate to see anyone trying to take advantage of this horribly tragic situation,” said Sgt. Nathan Borman of the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department.
“This family needs the community support, and we’re simply trying to make sure those funds go to the right place.”
Gary Wyngaard of Hortonville was among the many, looking to help support the Lundgaard family. He was at Appleton Fire Station No. One Tuesday, where Lundgaard worked, dropping off a donation.
Wyngaard tells FOX 11 he had heard about the attempts by people looking to profit from this tragedy.
“I mean, that’s about as low as you can get to take advantage of someone’s death and try to make money off of it.”
The news of Mitch Lundgaard’s death pierced the hearts of so many in the community.
Borman tells FOX 11 it only took days for schemes to prey on the grieving to surface.
“Appleton’s page was copied to a false GoFundMe page that was not supported by the family or the Appleton Fire Department. Those funds would’ve gone, again, to a scam.”
That GoFundMe page has since been removed.
Sadly, it wouldn’t be the last attempt to swindle money from those genuinely wanting to help, like Shirley Derks of the Town of Ellington.
“I really feel the family needs it. They need all the support they can get.”
Amanda Jo Goble of Hortonville was also at the fire department Tuesday. She says just a few years ago, she had lost her business and everything she owned in a fire.
Goble tells FOX 11 remembering that day gives her so much respect for those willing to risk their lives to keep the community safe.
“It just broke our hearts to see such a tragedy, when a guy like that runs into danger to help us, and we’re running from it, and he’s in there to help us and he, unfortunately, lost his life. So, it’s the very least we can do.”
Just hours after hundreds said their final goodbyes to the fallen firefighter Monday morning, reports of yet another tactic were received by the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department.
Borman says this time, in the form of a phone call.
“In this particular case today, there was a scam in which somebody said they were with the Sheriff’s Department, raising money for the Lundgaard family and was asking callers for that money. That was not the case, that is not us.”
Borman also says, generally speaking, the Sheriff’s Department does not call around, soliciting people for money.
Officials say the only legitimate fundraiser is a GoFundMe page run by Appleton Fire.
But if you’re still not comfortable donating online, donations by mail or in person are also accepted.
“Delivered right to the fire department, you know for sure that money is going to the cause you intended to,” Borman said.
Donations can be addressed to:
Friends of the Appleton Fire Department
700 N. Drew St.
Appleton, WI 54911
