Danielle's Parents Speak Out

SAN DIEGO -- Brenda and Damon van Dam spoke publicly Monday for the first time since their 7-year-old daughter's body was discovered under a tree, east of El Cajon.

DANIELLE VAN DAM 1994-2002 Watch Danielle Video Montage DONATIONS The Danielle van Dam Family Trust Mail donations to: Community Bible Church 9919 Carroll Center Road San Diego, 92126 For donations for funeral or memorial services, contact: Susan Wintersteen (858) 735-6735 Send mail to: P.O. Box 501515 San Diego, CA 92150 DISCUSSION Share your feelings, thoughts for van Dam family Danielle Web site

The van Dams were quick to thank the hundreds of volunteers who helped to search for Danielle, and they thanked the hundreds of people who have offered love and support since her body was found.

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Horrible End Doesn't Affect Parents' Faith Van Dams More At Peace

"This is overwhelming," Brenda van Dam said of the volunteers. "It just shows the love that everyone has in their hearts for each other. We've gotten so many cards that say, 'We don't even know Danielle, but just seeing her face on TV, we fell in love with her.' And that's very heart warming."

The van Dams spoke with reporters in one of Danielle's favorite parks. Brenda van Dam said that despite the horrific end to the search for her daughter, she still believes that most people are good.

"That's how we feel. That's what we tell our boys -- that there are more good people in the world than bad. And this is just unfortunate what happened to us," she said.

The van Dams also answered a question that may have hung in the mind of many parents: How did they restrain themselves from accusing David Westerfield -- the man accused of killing Danielle?

"I wasn't going to stoop to that level. I wanted to stay strong, the way Danielle knew me," Brenda van Dam said. "And I had all faith in law enforcement, that it would be handled the way that it should have been."

"It wasn't easy. I couldn't look at that house when I drove by," she added.

The van Dams said that they still hope to keep focus on Danielle, and that they hope others will learn from the tragedy.

"If one person … thinks twice about the security of their children, then that changes and saves one child's life," Damon van Dam said.

Community Forum Held In Danielle's Honor

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Community Forum Remembers Danielle

A meeting and candlelight vigil were held in Sabre Springs Monday evening in honor of Danielle, 10News reported.

The Keep Our Kids Safe Forum also gave parents an opportunity to get their child fingerprinted. A child who has been fingerprinted has a much better chance of being found, because the police already have on record the child's information, according to 10News.

Several hundreds of people gathered to sign a large banner with thoughts and prayers for Danielle and the van Dam family. Later in the evening, people holding candles organized to form Danielle's name.

"I'm here today because I want to show my support for the family, concerned parent Maria Adajar said. "I really wanted to initially get involved with the search efforts, but I really didn't have enough time … I wanted to do something. I wanted to bring my daughter here so we could sign the billboard and pray for Danielle."