The city of Lewiston and the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce announced today a new fund to build a memorial and create community events in response to last year's mass shooting.

“We join the city in support towards the healing process and fostering a sense of unity and strength within the community,” said Shanna Cox, the chamber’s president and CEO. “It is our hope that this memorial and remembrance events will help unify, heal, and renew Lewiston’s strength, demonstrating it as the great American city it is.”

The effort is in response to the Oct. 25, 2023, shooting that left 18 people dead and 13 injured.

The fund, according to the announcement, will create a memorial to the shooting. The city and chamber are creating a memorial planning committee to help design and build the memorial. The committee will include victims' families, survivors, the deaf community, nonprofit partners, local businesses, the chamber and city officials. Members will be chosen later. 

"It will be hard to define this memorial, and it will not be done in haste,” said Lewiston City Administrator Heather Hunter. “The people of Lewiston are resilient, and we will make sure we do this right by those directly impacted by this horrific event by creating a meaningful, purposeful memorial and unifying community events."

The announcement indicated the first additions to the fund will consist of proceeds from the Healing Hearts Gala, planned for Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. The gala will feature music, food and an auction. Anyone looking for further information on the gala may write lahealinghearts@gmail.com. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund may do so via OneLewiston.org.