UPDATE (6:30 p.m., July 11, 2012): After eight hours of fundraising, Hudson community members more than tripled their $10,000 goal by collecting $30,302 for grief-stricken River Falls mom Jessica Schaffhausen, according to a post on Paul Rode's Facebook page.

Rode's post says that the Hudson Police Department has taken possession of the funds and will deliver them to Schaffhausen on Thursday morning.

---

ORIGINAL POST (12 p.m., July 11, 2012): After hearing news of a River Falls man killing his three daughters on Tuesday, members of the Hudson community are coming together to raise money for the grief-stricken mother, Jessica Schaffhausen.

Community members are collecting donations in the River City Center parking lot at the corner of Second Street and Coulee Road, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday with a goal of raising $10,000.

Less than two hours in, the fundraisers already had collected about half of the stated goal. All funds will be turned over to Hudson Police Chief Marty Jensen to present to Schaffhausen on behalf of the entire Hudson community.

Hudson's Jimmy John's franchise provided dozens of small sandwiches for folks who stop by the parking lot to make a donation.

Among the community members collecting funds are Hudson resident Melissa Ingram, North Hudson resident Paul Rode, River Falls resident Israel Neumann (who works in Hudson) and New Richmond resident Mary Kadela (who is moving to Hudson next month).

The largest donation made today will get custody of Rode's 2012 Charger SRT for 24 hours.

Those who cannot make it to River City Center before 6 p.m. can drop off their donation in a sealed envelope anytime at The Agave Kitchen.

---

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our daily newsletter