NEWS

Beau Biden foundation sees $125,000 in first two days

Esteban Parra
The News Journal

Donations have been pouring in for a new charity honoring the late Beau Biden's efforts to protect children from sexual predators.

The Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children received more than 600 contributions totaling about $125,000 in its first two days since being announced, said Fred Sears, who runs the Delaware Community Foundation.

That is an impressive rate considering the community foundation, which manages 1,300 charitable funds, receives approximately 600 donations in about month, Sears said.

"It's really almost overwhelming," said Sears, who is a close friend of the Bidens. The outpouring shows the popularity Biden and his father, Vice President Joe Biden, have in the state and beyond, he said.

Beau Biden's charity has received donations from around the world, including one from the staff of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," he said. There also was a $20 donation from a woman in France who wrote: "I don't know them, but the story struck me so bad I just wanted to let them know that my heart is with them."

The largest donation so far has been a $25,000 gift with the bulk of donations being in the $100-or-less range.

"Clearly, it's people who feel like they want to do something," Sears added. "They all feel so bad, and they all feel some connection to Joe or Beau ... and here is a chance they can do something."

Beau Biden, Delaware's attorney general from 2007 through January, died Saturday after a nearly two-year battle with brain cancer. He was 46.

In his first year in office, he created a Child Predator Task Force to focus on catching and prosecuting those who commit sex offenses against minors. In an op-ed piece for The News Journal last year, he said the unit had convicted nearly 200 child sexual abusers and removed about 120 children from abusive situations.

"No one likes talking about pedophilia and predators who want to hurt our kids, but we have no choice," he wrote. "Children cannot protect themselves, and very young children, who are often the target of predators, in many cases are unable to speak for themselves. As adults, we all have a responsibility to protect children and take action when we believe a child is being abused."

The charity aims to continue his campaign of protecting children who are being abused.

Contributions to the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children can be made at www.beaubidenfoundation.org.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.