AKRON, Pa. — Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) have collected more than $700,000 U.S., or about $800,000 Cdn., for the community affected by the Oct. 2 shootings at an Amish school in Nickel Mines.
MCC and MDS are transferring 100 percent of these contributions to a Nickel Mines Accountability Committee comprised of seven Amish community members and two non-Amish community members. The committee will apply the funds to needs that result from the shootings, including medical and counseling services, extra living expenses for affected families and long-term disability care.
MCC and MDS agreed to accept contributions for the Nickel Mines Accountability Committee in consultation with Amish community leaders and will continue to do so until Oct. 27. These contributions should be designated for the “Amish School Recovery Fund.”
In an Oct. 10 statement, the Nickel Mines Accountability Committee thanked the many people who have contributed in the wake of the shootings.
“We, the people of the Nickel Mines community, are humbled and deeply thankful for this outpouring of love,” the committee stated. “Each act of kindness, the prayers and every gift, small or large, comfort us and assure as that our spirits will heal even though the painful loss will always be with us.”
Tim Shenk is a writer for MCC communications.