An extraordinary wave of support has emerged for the 5-month-old daughter of Erin Piacenti, the 32-year-old Bank of America vice president who lost her life in a random attack in Times Square on August 31.
A fundraiser created for Erin’s daughter, Madison, has now surged well beyond its original viral milestone. By Thursday evening, donations had climbed above $650,000, with thousands of people contributing after learning about the young mother and the family she left behind.
The fundraiser was established specifically to help provide financial security for Madison’s future. Organizers explained that it gives relatives, friends, coworkers and even strangers moved by Erin’s story a way to honor her by helping care for the daughter who meant everything to her.
The circumstances surrounding Erin’s final day have made the story particularly heartbreaking. August 31 was her first day back at work after maternity leave, only five months after welcoming Madison with her husband, Frank.
Erin was attacked in Times Square shortly after 4 p.m. in what authorities described as a random and unprovoked incident. Another person, a 68-year-old man, was also injured and hospitalized in stable condition.
Those who knew Erin have emphasized that they do not want the circumstances of her passing to define the way she is remembered. Instead, descriptions shared following the tragedy have focused on her intelligence, warmth, accomplishments and extraordinary devotion to her family.
Becoming a mother had reportedly been one of Erin’s lifelong dreams. Friends and family said Madison brought her enormous happiness during the five months they were able to share together.
Erin and Frank had also recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary and returned from a family road trip shortly before the tragedy. The couple had met while attending Fordham Law School before eventually building their careers and family together.
Professionally, Erin had built an impressive career as well. She worked as a vice president within Bank of America’s Business Selection and Conflicts group and previously worked in mergers and acquisitions at a major law firm.
But it is the response from complete strangers that has now become another major part of the story. More than 6,000 donors had contributed as the total climbed past $600,000, demonstrating just how strongly Erin’s story resonated with people who had never met her.
The campaign has set a goal of $750,000, with the money intended to support Madison as she grows up. The family has also encouraged those wishing to express their sympathy to support the fundraiser rather than sending other gifts.
Nothing can replace the mother Madison lost when she was only five months old. But the enormous response has provided one way for thousands of people to surround the little girl and her family with support during an unimaginably difficult time.
What began as an effort among people who loved Erin has now become a much larger display of compassion — with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised to help ensure that the daughter who brought Erin her greatest joy will continue to be cared for in the years ahead.
