Two scholarship funds have been established in honor of Gabe Zimmerman, the director of community outreach for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who died in a shooting rampage Saturday.
The family set up a fund in Zimmerman's name at Child & Family Resources, where Zimmerman served on the board.
"It's an incredible tragedy that such a young life was snuffed at its prime," said a statement from Eric Schindler, president of Child & Family Resources. "Gabe was an old soul in a young man's body who was a real special treasure for Tucson."
Donations can be made online at www.childfamilyresources.org or mailed to Child & Family Resources, 2800 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85716. For more information, call 321-3778 or e-mail donationsforgabe@cfraz.org
Meanwhile, two alumni of the University of California-Santa Cruz set up a scholarship fund in his memory.
The 30-year-old Zimmerman graduated from UC-Santa Cruz in 2002 with a sociology degree, with honors. The scholarship, which is being managed by the university's social sciences department, is also the subject of a Facebook account to deliver more information about the fund. It is intended to assist "financially challenged" students who show a commitment to social justice and intend to make a career in public service.
Donations can be as little as $10 and are tax-deductible.
Zimmerman also had a master's degree from the Arizona State University School of Social Work, and the school's Tucson branch will hold a memorial for him next week.
The event begins at 11 a.m. Monday in the courtyard of the Sentinel building, 320 N. Commerce Park Loop.
For more information, call 884-5507, Ext. 10.
