GoFundMe raises over $3 million for Orlando shooting victims
A GoFundMe campaign to support the victims of the mass shooting at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub raised $1 million faster than any other fundraising effort in the site's history.
As of Tuesday morning, the total amount raised had topped $3 million and the fundraising goal was upped to $5 million.
The campaign was created on June 12 by Ida Vishkaee Eskamani, a development officer at Equality Florida, the state's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization. It appeared on the crowdfunding website hours after a gunman killed 49 people and wounded 53 others in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. "Every penny donated will be correctly and quickly disbursed to the victims and families," the site said.
More than 47,000 people made donations within the first day, in amounts ranging from as little as $5 up to tens of thousands of dollars. Executive Pride, a non-profit organization that works to advance equal rights and opportunity for LGBT people in the business community, gave $30,000.
Equality Florida is working with local organizations, including the National Center for Victims of Crime, to help distribute the funds.
Equality Florida also posted information on its website about vigils for the victims, counseling and where to make blood donations.
"We are heartbroken and angry that senseless violence has once again destroyed lives in our state and in our country," the group said in a web post.
"Gay clubs hold a significant place in LGBTQ history. They were often the only safe gathering place and this horrific act strikes directly at our sense of safety. June commemorates our community standing up to anti-LGBTQ violence at the Stonewall Inn, the nightclub that has become the first LGBTQ site recognized as a national monument.
"We have received a steady stream of emails and messages from those seeking to help or to make sense of the senseless. We make no assumptions on motive. We will await the details in tears of sadness and anger. We stand in solidarity and keep our thoughts on all whose lives have been lost or altered forever in this tragedy."