Nashville school shooting: Here's how you can help Covenant School massacre victims' families
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: In a shocking incident, three adults and three children were tragically shot down on Monday, March 27. As the investigation of the Covenant School shooting continues, more campaigns have come in to help victims' families. The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia Peak, and Mike Hill, both 61, and the school's headmistress, 60-year-old Katherine Koonce.
The suspect Audrey Hale, 28, who was born biologically female identifies as transgender and according to his Linkedin profile states he/him is his preferred choice of pronouns. It is believed that Hale was a former student at the school but it is unclear when or for how long. Although his motives remain unclear, he did leave behind a manifesto.
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What are the GoFundMe campaigns to help victims' families?
One of the GoFundMe campaigns is developed by ViVE. The campaign note read, "ViVE, a healthcare conference from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) and HLTH, is organizing a relief fund for victims impacted by the recent school shooting tragedy at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. ViVE 2023, taking place in Nashville at the Music City Center, gathered thousands of healthcare leaders from around the world to unite around advancements in healthcare. As we collectively learned of the horrific events just a few miles away, we all mourn the innocent lives lost. Our thoughts are with the families, the entire school, and the local healthcare community."
Further, it read, "Together, CHIME and HLTH have pledged to commit a combined $50,000 donation on behalf of ViVE for the victims and their families. In addition, ViVE is launching this GoFundMe page for conference attendees and the entire healthcare community to help contribute to the families impacted. ViVE will ensure that all funds contributed will be donated to the designated relief funds associated with this tragedy." It has raised $54305 so far, and the target is to raise a total amount of $75000.
Another campaign is initiated by an organization called Victims First. The statement read, "We are families of over two decades of previous mass shootings from across this country. One of our family members survived the Vegas mass shooting and was a teacher and substitute teacher at Christian schools. She urged us to create this GoFundMe to help the families of the deceased and wounded at the Covenant School in Nashville. We at VictimsFirst, agreed. All donations are tax-deductible. Our hearts are breaking for the victims and survivors of the mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville where 3 children and 3 adults were murdered and many others wounded."
It explained, "Our families of previous mass shootings have been re-victimized when nonprofits say they are collecting donations for victims but do not actually give donations directly to victims. VictimsFirst's philosophy is very different. We believe in full transparency, honoring donor intent, and providing the victims the opportunity to choose for themselves how to spend your generous financial gifts meant for them. We, VictimsFirst (our network of families of the deceased and survivors from over two decades of previous mass shootings), have started this fund to make sure that 100% of what is collected goes DIRECTLY to the victim base, so the victims’ families and those wounded/injured are protected from fraud and exploitation. You can read more about what we do and who we are at www.victimsfirst.org. We do this because our own families have been re-victimized in the past by non-profits that collect funds for themselves after a mass shooting saying they will “support” the families, which is usually the legal verbiage used when donations do not go directly to victims/survivors themselves."
Further, it added, "Depending on how the Covenant school decides to proceed, VicitimsFirst will either join forces with them, with the National Compassion Fund or distribute directly ourselves. We will guarantee that your financial gifts will go Directly to the victim base. We are here for them. Thank you for your compassion and kindness. All donations are kept in a separate bank account specifically for the victims of the Covenant School. VictimsFirst's EIN is 32-0656956."
Campaign arranged by Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Hal Cato, CEO, of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee said in a statement, "The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is heartbroken by the horrific and senseless shooting that took place on Monday, March 27 at The Covenant School here in Nashville. Because of the outpouring of love from our generous and thoughtful community, we have established the Caring for Covenant Fund to manage the donations made in response to this tragedy." He further added, "All donations made to the Fund, minus credit card fees, will be directed to The Covenant School to support the healing of those affected by this tragedy. Together, we will send a message of love and compassion to the entire Covenant community," as per The Tennessean.