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[Aunt B]

I just want to make everyone aware that theComminity fund that was set up in Nevaehs name is not on the up and up!  Several of us called them to ask how much money was left and was there enough money left to buy her a headstone.  We were told that the money donated was put into a general fund and that no, they werent going to pay for her headstone!!!!  When asked for disclosure they told us that they didnt have to disclose anything and again the money was put into a general fund and not all is being used for Nevaeh.

I'm sure all the people that donated werent aware that the money would go into this so called general fund

Paula, do you know whats going on and do they have to disclose what the money was spent on?

That baby deserves a headstone!!!!!!

[ShadowingCrime]

I thought that AFTER all of Nevaeh's expenses were paid, THEN the money left over would be put in a GENERAL FUND. 

What I've been told is the money donated in Nevaeh's name went directly into a GENERAL FUND. 

This is not what I understood from reading articles in the news where this Monroe Community Fund was advertised as THE PLACE to donate for Nevaeh.

I thought everyone's donations would cover expenses to bury Nevaeh, but from what I was told, the Monroe Community Fund set a limit on what they would pay out on Nevaeh's burial.  The headstone cost was more than they would approve, so no one can give me/us an answer as to how much is owed so we can get it paid.  The reason is no one knows if the Community Fund is going to pay the balance.

I know JustBeingMe said it was paid, but according to Merkle's, there is a balance owed on the headstone and there's a BIG question as to whether the Community Fund is going to pay the balance.  We have a donor who wants to pay the balance on the headstone but have to wait for the Community Fund to decide if they are going to "shell out" any more money on Nevaeh.  I know that sounds horrid, but that's the way it's been interpreted and that's the way the employees at the Community Fund have talked to those who've tried to inquire. 

Why would money donated towards Nevaeh's burial NOT be USED to pay for those expenses?

Shane Hinojosa slept in a tent for one week before an apartment was offered.  He received NO MONEY nor would he have accepted money from the Community Fund towards his expenses while searching for his daughter and remaining until her burial. 

So what was the donations used for?  Do people who donated realize their money was not going into a FUND just for Nevaeh?  I sure didn't.  I believed what was written in the newspapers...that all money donated in Nevaeh's name would be used for her expenses and AFTER all was paid, then it would go into a general fund.

This is disturbing.

[gurlinmichigan2005]

I agree ! I for one would not have donated a dime if i knew that not every single cent would be spent on that precious little girl !

[Frenchfry]

I sure this thread isn't going to attack the family again.......I'm trying to keep my can of whoop butt unopened. 

[ShadowingCrime]

I sure this thread isn't going to attack the family again.......I'm trying to keep my can of whoop butt unopened. 

This is NOT about the Buchanans or Hinojosa.  This is about Nevaeh and the people who donated in her name to pay expenses for this child's burial.

[Frenchfry]

This is NOT about the Buchanans or Hinojosa.  This is about Nevaeh and the people who donated in her name to pay expenses for this child's burial.

Thanks 

[gurlinmichigan2005]

This is NOT about the Buchanans or Hinojosa.  This is about Nevaeh and the people who donated in her name to pay expenses for this child's burial.

  Thank you ShadowingCrime

[spartanfan1]

I guess it depends on if they consider a headstone part of the burial or not? I think it should be, but other places say that it is not part of the actual burial costs. I am not sure if they are required to disclose financial information of certain accounts or not. If anything they might give you the amount in it, but none of the transactions. I know if they are a 501(c)(3) they have to show you the tax report, but that is awhile away for this year. However, I am not sure if they are required to show you subsidiary accounts when this happens.

[ShadowingCrime]

The following appeared in Nevaeh's obituary in MEN on June 11, 2009:

For those desiring to assist the Buchanan family will funeral expenses, memorial donations are suggested to the Nevaeh Buchanan fund through the Community Foundation of Monroe County.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For those who are wondering about a donation fund in Nevaeh's name, there is the Nevaeh Buchanan Fund at Community Foundation of Monroe County. Any donations not needed for Nevaeh will be used to build up a fund for children's funerals.

And this appeared in MEN on June 11, 2009; underlines & bold are mine:

I have been involved with this case both with some of the news stories (Nevaeh archives at monroenews.com); and also as social media liaison for The Monroe Evening News on our reader forum, MonroeTalks, and feeding our twitter.

Now, the community of Monroe, Mich., has a very strong tradition of community service. I am not surprised at all to have seen and and heard about hundreds of people who showed up at her apartment complex or at the parking lot of the nearby Kmart store day after day, asking “What can I do to help?”

Very early in the investigation, there was one credit union fund set aside as a reward fund; and a separate credit union fund that, if needed, would pay for her funeral. There were also were donations made to help with canteen services for the law enforcement investigators, and a variety of donations made on behalf of the family and volunteer searchers.

One of the announcements in Wednesday’s edition of The Monroe Evening News is that the Community Foundation of Monroe County has established the Nevaeh Buchanan Memorial Fund. Today’s newspaper has the added detail that donations can be made at any branch of Monroe Bank & Trust (a local bank).

Now what I find particularly interesting is how the Community Foundation plans to use any leftover funds:

If excess funds are collected, it will form the basis for an interest-bearing endowment to pay for future funeral costs for children of indigent families, said Kathleen Russeau, executive director.

If you have wanted to help with the cause financially, but had concerns about where the money might go, this project is a fitting tribute to a little girl who did not deserve her terrible fate. Donations to this fund, if it is built up, can help other children in Monroe County, Mich., get a proper funeral.  ~snipped~

http://www.blogsmonroe.com/budget/2009/06/the-nevaeh-buchanan-fund-for-childrens-funerals/

Key words in the above quote are directly from the executive director, Kathleen Russeau, stating "excess funds" will form an account for indigent children....


And this appeared in MEN on June 11, 2009:

Donations to the Nevaeh Buchanan Memorial Fund now can be made at any Monroe Bank & Trust branch as well as at the Community Foundation of Monroe County.

The fund is to pay funeral-related costs for Nevaeh Buchanan, but additional monies will form the basis for an endowment to pay for future funeral costs for children of indigent families.

Checks should be made payable to the Community Foundation of Monroe County, noting on the check that it is for the Nevaeh Buchanan Memorial Fund.

http://www.monroenews.com/article/20090611/NEWS01/706119976/-1/NEVAEH

[justbeingme]

All I know is what Sherry told me...that Merkle Funeral home was taking donations to help fray the cost of the funeral and to pay for the headstone.  Then I was told later that the headstone was paid for and should be on the gravesite within the next two weeks. Considering Merkle ordered the headstone, maybe Merkle would know whether its paid for or not. Maybe Paula can clear this matter up for all of us. Can you help us Paula?

As far as Shane sleeping in a tent...if you called CA they would tell you that they gave him an apt free of charge to sleep in, cook food and be able to take showers while he was here. Also, to my knowledge Shane and his family set up a fund also, this is the same fund that the controversy of his mom running away with the money came from. Then they said the money wasnt taken by her but put into a bank somewhere. Dont know what happened to that fund or where it went to, never heard anymore about that.

[mary8915]

It's not by business but technically my dad's stone was not paid for until it was set and perfected. Another thought and jmo is headtsones turn into urban ghost legends and draw unneeded attention to the burial site and are frequently vandalized maybe the family is holding off or does not want a huge cemetery marker. Also it is the wake up call that your loved one is gone. I did fine thru the funeral til the lid was closed and I had to follow the box with my daddy in it. Then when I saw the stone when it was set a few months later it brought it all back!I don't know jmo but I am not understanding what the issue is. Is the question where did the $ go or why is there no marker yet? I'm not trying to be mean or disrespectfull I just don't understand what the issue is. I also don't understand why the funeral home would tell someone if the stone is paid for or not my funeral home only discusses it with the official person in charge of planning I have drinks with the director and he won't even tell me about my relative's funeral bills. they could have used a vendor at the cemetery or a third party as well.

[justbeingme]

I just asked Sherry again..and yes the headstone is paid in Full..should be on the gravesite soon!

[MM1]

I just asked Sherry again..and yes the headstone is paid in Full..should be on the gravesite soon!

OMG!  Hasn't that poor woman been through enough ? ! ? Do you really have to involve her in this MT gossip mill about things that are none of our/your business?  Do you really think she needs to be (WANTS to be) involved in keeping things on track here? 

She seems like a lovely woman who will answer whatever you ask her.  That should not be confused with the fact that every time you ask her something about Nevaeh, her heart HAS TO break a little more, and a little more . .  AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Come On People!   Let the woman heal.    It's HER business.  HER family.  HER grandaughter.   HERS!  Not ours.  Give her privacy and leave her alone! 

[justbeingme]

OMG!  Hasn't that poor woman been through enough ? ! ? Do you really have to involve her in this MT gossip mill about things that are none of our/your business?  Do you really think she needs to be (WANTS to be) involved in keeping things on track here? 

She seems like a lovely woman who will answer whatever you ask her.  That should not be confused with the fact that every time you ask her something about Nevaeh, her heart HAS TO break a little more, and a little more . .  AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Come On People!   Let the woman heal.    It's HER business.  HER family.  HER grandaughter.   HERS!  Not ours.  Give her privacy and leave her alone! 

UMMM chill out please...I know her personally and she wants you people to understand what is up with the headstone!
Dont u think that the family reads all this>>> they do!

Do you think for one minute she wants false gossip spreading???
because she doesnt!!!

It seems like its bothering you more than her!

[AngelaK]

OMG!  Hasn't that poor woman been through enough ? ! ? Do you really have to involve her in this MT gossip mill about things that are none of our/your business?  Do you really think she needs to be (WANTS to be) involved in keeping things on track here? 

She seems like a lovely woman who will answer whatever you ask her.  That should not be confused with the fact that every time you ask her something about Nevaeh, her heart HAS TO break a little more, and a little more . .  AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Come On People!   Let the woman heal.    It's HER business.  HER family.  HER grandaughter.   HERS!  Not ours.  Give her privacy and leave her alone!

x2