National

How to help victims and families of Branson, Missouri duck boat accident

As people gather to support victims and families impacted by Thursday's duck boat accident that killed 17 in Branson, Missouri, there are numerous opportunities to help.

The tragedy happened as a storm blew across Table Rock Lake in the tourist hotspot, capsizing a Duck Tour amphibious boat.

Here are several fundraisers accepting donations for those affected:

Community Foundation of the Ozarks

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is accepting donations for a fund that will help with needs such as funeral, travel and transportation expenses for victims and families.

Donations can be made by credit card at cfozarks.org/donate, by choosing the "Branson Area Disaster Relief Fund" at the top of the drop-down menu.

Checks can be sent to Community Foundation of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO, 65801.

Additional information and updates can be found at givebranson.org.

Louise Knauer, Community Foundation of the Ozarks CEO, said Saturday morning that the foundation will work with local leaders and case managers – including the American Red Cross.

She said that information about money raised so far could be available Monday, after the finance staff counts donations made by check and credit card.

GoFundMe set up by Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce in Kimberling City

Lynn Berry, spokeswoman for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB, said that a GoFundMe crowdfunding effort was set up Friday afternoon to aid the families of the victims.

According to the GoFundMe page, donations will be collected and distributed by the Skaggs Foundation, which promotes health and wellness in the area.

As of 2:30 p.m. Saturday, over $20,000 had been collected, according to the GoFundMe page.

More information is available at gofundme.com/table-rock-cares.

GoFundMe efforts for Coleman family of Indiana

Multiple GoFundMe accounts were set up to support the Colemans, an Indianapolis family who lost nine members in Thursday night's tragedy.

An account named "Only Official Duck Boat Survivors" had raised more than $30,000 so far.

"The funds will go directly to Tia (Coleman)," said Katherine Cichy, a spokeswoman for GoFundMe, in an email.

Family member Ingrid Coleman Douglas told The IndyStar that the campaign "Coleman Family Boat Accident" is also a resource. The campaign has raised over $1,000 as of Saturday afternoon.

Follow Alissa Zhu on Twitter: @AlissaZhuNL; Contributing: Gregory Holman — Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader; Mark Alesia, Indianapolis Star