School shooting survivor, raises money for second playdate

Media Contacts:
T’Jae Gibson Ellis, EllisIt Public Relations, (202) 491-3586, EllisIt.PR@gmail.com
Jabria Williams, EllisIt Public Relations Intern, 704-402-3510,
jabriawilliams22@gmail.com
Zoe Touray, Talent, 248-805-7929, zoetouray@gmail.com

A Michigan-based charity led by a high school shooting survivor is teaming with a Canadian organization on a fundraiser to help youth trauma survivors.

Money raised from the sale of silicon bracelets sold by iSurvived will be donated to a day of fun in Uvalde, Texas this summer sponsored by the S.E.E. Program, or Survivors Embracing Each Other, created by Oxford High School shooting survivor Zoe Touray , 19.

"I am beyond excited to once again see the survivors of Robb Elementary , and continue to grow these amazing connections we have created. My hope is that we sell enough wristbands to support this amazing event. Also that others are as elated as I am to support these students, who will have another opportunity to connect with their mentors and friends.”

Consumers can choose either red or rainbow wristbands for $1 each. Both are embossed with “iSurvived.” Special edition orange iSurvived Gun Violence wristbands are also available for $3 each.

“Part affirmation and part movement, iSurvived is a statement we believe consumers will be proud to wear, declaring that despite what we have gone through in life, we have all survived,” said Jeron Lothian, founder of iSurvived. “The collection of wristbands are available for consumers and organizations to purchase, with a portion of proceeds going to various causes nearest and dearest to us.”

He said he connected with Touray’s Program S.E.E. because “they are supporting
gun violence survivors. Although I am not a gun violence survivor, my heart
weakens every time I hear of a mass shooting in the USA.”

The S.E.E Program, is an initiative consisting of pop-up projects and events carefully orchestrated for youth in communities where school-based gun violence has occurred. It’s Touray’s way of preserving the innocence of America’s school children and making sure the youngest victims of these tragedies aren’t lost or overlooked amidst the political mire, she said.

She conceived of the Survivors United Playday on the heels of the Robb Elementary School massacre that took the lives of 19 students and two teachers in May 2022. Touray, a national March for Our Lives spokesperson, began planning the event last summer and was doused with help from a dozen students from her alma mater in early fall 2022. Their collective efforts resulted in major support from Little Caesars, American Airlines, Wingstop, Therapy Animals of San Antonio, and the Detroit Lions plus a variety of activities and resources for families including tie dying shirts, relay races and games.

She said the playday, which is a free event, provides a chance for the community to come together and connect with others who have shared experiences.

She plans to raise $5,000 through this sale. Through fundraisers and direct donations, she's looking to bring back popular activities from last year’s event, and to introduce new activities this year, such as outdoor games and a memorial brunch to honor those who died in the tragedy.

“We have a day full of amazing events planned for the Survivors United Playday. There will be field day games such as relay races, cookie face and tug of war. WingStop will return as the main food vendor, and our tie dye shirts will make a comeback! We’re expecting around 300-350 parents and students to enjoy the day of festivities,” said Touray, a second semester freshman at North Carolina A&T State University.

Wristbands can be purchased at https://isurvivedcorp.org/coll...

To donate directly to the Survivors United Playday, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/sur...

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