A crowdfunding campaign by two Muslim groups has generated more than $51,000 by noon Sunday to cover funeral expenses and medical bills for the victims of a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh Saturday, which is said to be among the deadliest attacks against the Jewish community in the U.S.
The details: Money is being raised on LaunchGood, a Muslim-focused crowdfunding site by Celebrate Mercy and MPower Change. The campaign had reached its initial goal of $25,000 goal in less than six hours, and it has since reached at least $50,000. According to the campaign website, funds will be distributed by the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.
By 8 p.m. Monday, the total had gone over $150,000 from over 3,650 supporters (over a quarter of them non-Muslim).
UPDATE 1 (Oct 27, 9 pm EST): We are overjoyed to reach our $25,000 goal in only six hours. We have just increased the goal to $50,000.
UPDATE 2 (Oct 28, 11 am EST): The campaign has gone viral as it begins receiving international media attention (see media stories below). We have now hit our 2nd goal of $50,000, before the 24-hour mark! The campaign has been raising $2,000 every hour! The goal is now $75,000.
UPDATE 3 (Oct 28, 10 pm EST): In about 30 hours, we’ve raised $100K; that’s over $3000 per hour! Goal raised to $125K.
UPDATE 4 (Oct 29, 10 AM EST): This morning, we transferred the first installment of funds ($25K) to the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh to immediately begin disbursing help to the families.
UPDATE 5 (Oct 29, 12.30 PM EST): We have just increased the goal to $150K and will not increase it again until we assess – with our partners on the ground – if the families’ short-term expenses will exceed that amount. We are overwhelmed with how viral the campaign has gone so far. Many of the donors, at least 25%, are not even Muslim; they are Jewish and friends of other faiths.
UPDATE 6 (Oct 29, 6.00 PM EST): We are shocked to have hit yet another milestone of $150,000 within only 50 hours. We are currently assessing whether any more funds are needed for the victims’ families but we are keeping this campaign open. Any leftover proceeds from the campaign, after disbursing funds to victims’ families, will be spent on projects that help foster Muslim-Jewish collaboration, dialogue, and solidarity. Please consider donating to help other victims of a recent hate shooting in Kentucky at this link: Muslims United for Kentucky Hate Victims.
https://www.launchgood.com/project/muslims_unite_for_pittsburgh_synagogue#!/
In spite of efforts of Trump & Co.?
Americans will continue to evolve working together
Total is now over $185,000 from over 4,500 supporters.
https://www.launchgood.com/project/muslims_unite_for_pittsburgh_synagogue#!/
Amen on this….
Total is now nearly $205,000 from nearly 5,000 supporters of all faiths and none.
UPDATE 7 (Oct 30, 3 PM EST): We have transferred the second installment of funds ($25K) to the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh (ICP). The ICP rep has met with the local Jewish Federation and twice with the funeral home to begin planning fund disbursement to the victims’ families.
Amen…..