Online campaigns have raised nearly $275,000 for church fires in the south.
Image: Davie Hinshaw, Charlotte Observer
Two online fundraisers have collectively raised more than a quarter of a million dollars in donations for six predominantly black churches burned in the last month – and Briar Creek Road Baptist Church will be the first to see that money.
The east Charlotte church sustained significant damage after an intentionally set fire June 24 destroyed its education building and interfered with the church’s summer day camp, Camp “Son” Shine.
An advance on Briar Creek’s disbursement will be sent to the church for immediate assistance in the continuation of that camp, said Reverend Mike Kinman of Christ Church Cathedral in a statement.
Christ Church Cathedral, an Episcopal church in St. Louis, Missouri, started the “Rebuild the Churches Fund,” which has garnered $190,000 of its $250,000 goal for the six churches. Not all of the burnings were ruled arson.
Rhonda Kinsey, co-pastor at Briar Creek Road Baptist Church, said she didn’t know they would be receiving those funds yet.
“Oh God, thank you,” she said. “This is awesome.”
She said Camp “Son” Shine has seen a tremendous outpouring of support, and around $4,000 has already been donated to the church.
The young Muslim activists’ campaign “Respond with Love” has captured national attention with its fundraising of almost $85,000. They hope to boost that number to $100,000 by July 18.
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