Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund Raises $60K in One Day

NEW YORK -- The family of an 8-year-old New York City boy who was abducted and dismembered has set up a website in his honor.

The Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund hopes to raise $1 million for needy children and families.

The website shows photos of Leiby as a baby and toddler and says donations "will accomplish all the wonderful things that Leiby would have achieved -- had he lived."

Leiby's suspected kidnapper, Levi Aron, was indicted Wednesday on charges of murder. He's previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police say Leiby got lost leaving day camp and asked the suspect for help before he was killed last week.

In a press release about the website, Leiby's father outlined the foundation's intentions:

"Had my dear son Leiby lived he would have contributed so much good to the world. He was such a sensitive and kind soul. Now that his beautiful life was cut so short we should not allow the world to miss out. Our family wishes to establish the LEIBY KLETZKY MEMORIAL FUND to perpetuate the memory of our dear Leiby and to keep him alive in our hearts and minds. This fund would help anguished families in crisis and need, something that Leiby would have wanted to do had he been given more years of life."

Since opening yesterday the site has raised $61,581 from 1,365 supporters.

Visit Leibykletzkymemorialfund.com for more.

Comments

[KabbalahSherry]

11:17 PM on 07/28/2011

What a beautiful choice to make Tzedekah! His poor parents...the whole community must be shocked & horrified still!

For any Jewish brothers & sisters online...please know your Noahide "cousins" are standing by the Nation 110%. Your pain is our pain. We love you all so much!

[forkuu]

12:42 AM on 07/24/2011

i take issue with those who insist in comparing this horror with cayly anthonys passing...
we dont know how cayly died we only know her mother to be a selfish irrisponsible liar and her family to filled with secrets... its tragedy but the child could have drowned...which while sad in itself cannot be compared with the out rageous and heinous circumstances of this boys passing.
true both were innocent children and must be mourned but i cannot see the similarities...

[AlwaysActions]

11:09 PM on 07/23/2011

Your generous contribution to the Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund, No. of Supporters 4,027 Already Raised $181,007 http://bit.ly/nPAdy5

[EmmaNYC]

01:01 AM on 07/24/2011

What a wonderful idea! Coping with grief by doing good for others. We can all learn a lesson in dignity and humanity from the Kletsky family.

[kingjohn1956]

08:07 AM on 07/23/2011

If the way of our God is to forgive,i will spend eternity in Hell.If it was my family member i could not forgive this animal and if given the oppurtunity I would seek revenge.We cannot imagine the sheer terror this beautiful angel endured.If proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt this man must pay with his life.The state of New York must take it.My sincere condolences to the family.

[Allan Richter]

07:42 PM on 07/22/2011

Beautiful sentiment. May God bless you and cause his face to shine upon you.

[Elisheva Avital]

10:08 AM on 07/22/2011

To anyone who is interested in reading a statement from the family:
http://bit.ly/oGXkWt

[EmmaNYC]

12:25 AM on 07/24/2011

An incredible statement by absolutely amazingly gentle people. Despite their intense grief, they console us, and ask that we do acts of kindness as a blessing in Leiby's name. My heart goes out to them and all the relatives and friends.

[taraterm2]

04:41 AM on 07/22/2011

Phooey. Where was Jesus Christ when that child was being killed?

[Franco Jason Di Palma]

05:11 AM on 07/22/2011

God does not intervene in this or any other issues. It is a mistake to think of God as a person that picks and chooses situations to assist in. It is belief such as that that takes credibility away from the one true creator. Call God what you want or not. He/She goes by no name.

[lamk]

11:24 AM on 07/22/2011

They didn't ask about God they asked where his son was.

[KabbalahSherry]

11:18 PM on 07/28/2011

Excellent question. I USED to be in the Christian faith most of life before leaving it 2 years ago...and I was just thinking that SAME question myself.

lol

[Franco Jason Di Palma]

04:17 AM on 07/22/2011

I worked in law enforcement in NY my entire life and while doing so supervised the sex offender units in two down state counties. One of these counties had a community such as the one this boy lived in. Yes, they feel safe but they are no safer than any other community. I can tell you that because within that community I supervised a man who was a sex offender whose preference was young boys. Although the man that perpetrated this crime did not have any previous sex offenses I do feel that the law must change preventing these sick individuals from ever getting off parole and living an unsupervised life. Also, as I told parents constantly, do not let your guard down, not even with relatives. I can't tell you the number of children I saw molested or raped by family members or "boyfriends" of family members. I know it is a bitter pill to swallow but children are not safe anywhere, sometimes even with their own parents. God help them. Once again, do NOT become complacent. Predators watch for this.

[auntypsychotic]

07:33 AM on 07/22/2011

ABSO - FREAKIN' - LUTELY!

My own life experiences have made me more than a little suspicious and even a bit paranoid but in some ways I appreciate the lessons. I KNOW that there is no true safety. I understand that people want to feel safe but I sometimes think that NOT feeling safe might keep so many people, particularly children, alive and healthy and, maybe, unvictimized.

TRUST NO ONE.

--- Listen to your gut. If you feel something isn't right, go with that feeling and GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE - you can find out what's going on AFTER you get AWAY.
--- Listen to that "little voice" that tells you someone is a seriously creepy freak. Giving someone "the benefit of the doubt' can get you or someone you love hurt or killed.
--- Listen to what is "unsaid". If your kids suddenly don't want to go to school or daycare or grandpa's house FIND OUT WHY!!!
-- Listen to your body - if the hair on the back of your neck stands up, if you suddenly get goosebumps for no apparent reason, if someone enters the room and makes up pick up or move your purse closer do the same thing with your children and LEAVE.
--- DON'T listen to your mother. Don't waste time being nice, being polite or trying not to make a scene. BE RUDE, MAKE A SCENE, DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO to keep yourself and your family alive and healthy.

[KadejaLatefah]

09:44 PM on 07/23/2011

he was a little boy. children don't have 'gut' reactions at this age. this is why it takes a village. this sweet child asked someone he should have been able to trust. that man worked in a neighborhood store, he wore a yarmuke. but it turns out he was a monster. children should never walk alone -even if from camp they aer with a friend or two. but how many times have we told our chidren -look for a policeman or a coach or a priest??? the only good that will come of this is all the other children who have been saved by them locking this monster up. and his parents have started a fund to help needy families. my heart breaks for this mother.

[kokotye157]

06:04 PM on 07/22/2011

so true. i have three daughters. can you please talk to them ? ( rhetorically of course) because when i say what you have just said and impose restrictions they can't understand where i am coming from. i live in rockland and i think i know the community you speak of. and yes they are on the site for sex offenders but it hard to distinguish one from the other ( i don't mean that in a bad way). last year the district stopped sending home the fliers regarding sex offenders( with pictures of their faces due to budget cuts. I hope we don't lose the notifications via phone.

[KadejaLatefah]

09:53 PM on 07/23/2011

you should be able to get them online. until we all recognize that children need to be empowered from a young age to control their own space, until we tell them that no one can touch them with out permission (that means mom & dad too....if your child doesn't want a hug you MUST respect it) then they ill be in limbo. even so I don't think it would have helped this sweet child. This tragedy had so many things collide there was no saving him. it was truely a crime of opportunity that became a mothers worst nightmare.

[Franco Jason Di Palma]

01:10 PM on 07/24/2011

Sadly enough I must say that the law allowing disclosure is simply a "feel good" law and tends to lull people into a false sense of safety. For every level two or three sex offender whose photo you view on the registry there are many who we do not know of. That is why I ALWAYS tell parents and other family members to use good judgement at all times and to teach their children the importance of not being alone with anyone they are not comfortable with. I have seen children snatched away by a family friend while the mother was sleeping. In the particular case that I am speaking about the child was only two years old. When he brought her back the mother was still asleep and the only way she found out was through vaginal bleeding. It is terrible that we have to live that way but it is better to be safe. Sorry later does no good. I wish you the very best with your daughters. You sound like a great parent.

[jhooperaa]

03:57 AM on 07/22/2011

If you are thinking about ever buying a book about the Casey Anthony case or going to see a movie about it don't. Instead give money to this fund. There is no better way to honor the life of Caylee Anthony and all the other abused and murdered children than to donate money to this cause. Casey Anthony should be ignored. Let her wallow in her own misery which I am sure will happen in time.

[KadejaLatefah]

09:56 PM on 07/23/2011

what a wonderful idea!! even send a dollar if its all you have. here is a mom who loved her son so much she was willing to give him wings. and that child abuser in florida is walking free (by the way -she will harm another child) so I will join you in sending a donation!

[trescher]

05:27 PM on 07/25/2011

We can only hope. I am donating. Thank you.

[diva362171]

03:13 AM on 07/22/2011

Such a sweet looking little boy. I hope they reach their goal and beyond. And lock that monster up in solitary confinement in a federal maximum security prison for the rest of his days.

[binxb1]

03:07 AM on 07/22/2011

My heart goes out to this young boy's parents. I can't imagine how they feel. Just quit beating them up. This was a safe protected area. It's a community who watches out for each other. It's NOT like all areas in NYC. It's a protected community. Then this sick man shows up. Dear God, can't some of you understand what the parents are going through? This community is in shock: how could one of their own do this?

I am not Jewish, but I do know there are many communities who are like this. They exist everywhere; and not just Jewish. There is nothing wrong with "closed" communities. They feel safe. They help each other. Wouldn't it be great if every community were like this?

This is a tragedy. I think it's honorable what the parents are doing. They want to help others who have gone through anguish. Let them do that in the memory of their son. Have some compassion. I think it's wonderful.

[sassyraggs]

02:51 AM on 07/22/2011

Through the blood of Jesus Christ may all the prays we pray for this family and friends give them the peace to carry on. That will be the hardest to find in the midst of this trial they are going through now. Christ blood can make them whole again. It will take alot of time. God bless you all.

[anova9]

08:44 AM on 07/22/2011

Fine for you, but I think they are Jewish. Why not express your lovely sentiments in a way that does not insult or ignore their religous preferences?

[sassyraggs]

09:26 AM on 07/22/2011

I must not know what it is. I have read some of the comments people are making about there ways towards others but I have not seen or been around them. I only know real LOVE from my own Savour. Christ. No disrespect to anyone.

[havjulia]

09:40 AM on 07/22/2011

Good thoughts know no religions. They are from the purest source. We put names on them, but it's all good. :) I pray for peace of mind for the family.

[sassyraggs]

02:45 AM on 07/22/2011

I am so angry and disgusted at this beast of a man, a pervert walking among us and we knew him not. What a HORRIBLE act to lay this precious little child to rest. Many prays go out to his family and friends. I am so thankful that we live in an age with the technology that we have, such as for the security cameras that caught this worthless worm. I hear his lawyers were going claim the insanity plea for him. PLEASE!!!!! You guys are crazy yourself if you try that. He should have got help before NOW!!! It's to late for him!!! We are GLAD he is off the streets so he can't cause anymore pain, sufferings, and let alone anymore murders. It should be Eye for an Eye. Do to him as he did that precious little man. God Bless America!

[anova9]

08:45 AM on 07/22/2011

whatever happened to hp?

[EmmaNYC]

09:03 AM on 07/22/2011

Totally inappropriate and disgusting comment. Aron needs mental health care and a long prison term. I suggest you focus on having your own sins forgiven.

[lamk]

11:10 AM on 07/22/2011

He needs to never walk the streets again unless they are 100% sure he will never harm another. I don't think they can do that.

[Craig A Olson]

01:53 PM on 07/22/2011

He needs that also, but mostly, he needs forgiveness of sins. Ask Jesus for forgiveness and your sins are taken away.

[bigkest]

02:02 AM on 07/22/2011

RIP Leiby, you won't be forgotten.....