WASHINGTON — Donors have pledged more than $1 million to help support the Orlando shooting victims and their families on several GoFundMe campaigns.
In the first 24 hours, Equality Florida established the fundraiser and it has raised more than $1.5 million.
The LGBT civil rights organization said in a statement that gay clubs were the only safe gathering place, and that this act struck directly “at our sense of safety.” It says all of the money will go directly to the Orlando victims and their families. The organization is working with the National Center for Victims of Crimes to distribute the funds.
A second GoFundMe page is set up by the Orlando-based GLBT Community Center of Central Florida, which is coordinating an emergency hotline and a set of grief counselors with several other LGBT organizations throughout Central Florida.
Charities that support law enforcement officers are also raising money to support first responders involved in the attack. Under the Shield Foundation will offer stress coaching to Orlando police officers and their families. You can donate directly to their efforts in Orlando.
Tuesday is World Blood Donor Day and donors are always needed to help save lives in communities all over the country. Blood donations will not go to Orlando, but it will replenish the local supply. The American Red Cross is holding blood drives this week in several local cities.
CrowdRise has also set up a site for donations or people can contribute directly to the Orlando Youth Alliance, which is offering a safe space for victims and LGBT people who are now afraid to go to gay clubs.
Here is a list of known fundraising campaigns:
- CrowdRise: Pulse Orlando Relief Fund
- Equality Florida: Support Victims of Pulse Shooting
- GLBT Community Center of Central Florida: Pulse Tragedy Community Fund
