AURORA, Colo. -

Businesses and communities alike are coming to the aid of victims in one of the most deadliest shootings in American history.

And among this group reaching out to those affected by last week’s tragedy in Aurora, Colo. is a local dealer.

Bozarth Auto Dealerships announced today that it has started a fund to help assist victims in the recent  theater massacre.

Local Aurora businessman, Ed Bozarth, and his family, son Kent, wife Paula, and partners, Mark Miller and Chris Spargo, will kick-off of the fund by donating $50,000, officials noted.

"Aurora has suffered as a result of this horrific crime which has caused immeasurable suffering and damage to many victims and to our community.  I am asking other businesses and citizens in our community and across the nation to open their hearts and checkbooks and contribute generously by donating to help these families attempting to build back their lives,” Bozarth shared.

The donation will be  presented on behalf of Ed Bozarth Chevrolet at a press conference scheduled for today at the dealership.

And the donation will be split three ways, the company explained.

One for $30,000 will be administered to the victims’ families, $10,000 to the Aurora Police Department and $10,000 to the Aurora Fire Department “for their superb assistance to Aurora and the Aurora victims.”

Bozarth added that all additional contributions made by the public will be administered for the benefit of and payable directly to the victims’ families’ fund. 

"Words cannot describe the gratitude of all of us in our community for the outstanding work of both the Aurora Police Department and the Aurora Fire Department all of whom acted heroically arriving on the scene within 90 seconds after emergency calls from Century 16,” Bozarth concluded.

The Bozarth family owns five Chevrolet dealerships of which three are in Colorado — Aurora, Park Meadows and Grand Junction.  Additionally, they operate dealerships in Topeka, Kansas, and Las Vegas.