Alex Clemens Helps Establish Scholarship Fund For Arizona Shooting Victim Gabe Zimmerman

Gabe Zimmerman Remembered

​It was only yesterday that Alex Clemens and Jonathan Klein went live with their scholarship fund in memory of Arizona shooting victim, Gabe Zimmerman, and already they have raised more than $4,000.

The two San Francisco residents don't have any connection with Zimmerman other than they share his alma mater, UC Santa Cruz. Zimmerman, who was an aide to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, (D-Arizona), was shot to death on Saturday after accused gunman Jared Loughner fired a round of shots, killing six and wounding many others.

Giffords, who was shot in the head, remains in critical condition.

Clemens said he and Klein were inspired by Zimmerman's contributions to public service. So, the two contacted Zimmerman's brother, and got permission to start a scholarship fund at UC Santa Cruz in Zimmerman's name. 
"This is a little thing, but it's the right thing to do to make sure a student who is dedicated to social justice gets the help they need by people who wanted to commemorate Zimmerman ," said Clemens, who has worked as a political aide himself.

The social sciences department at UC Santa Cruz will oversee and administer the scholarship fund.

Clemens started a Facebook page, where they have already received $4,000 in donations. The university has collected thousands of more dollars, he said.

"We are already getting a substantial amount of interest in the Bay Area," Clemens said.