Orlando's Pulse nightclub tragedy has volunteers and donors responding overwhelmingly in record-breaking fundraising efforts.
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GoFundMe.com page to support victims of the Orlando shooting has raised nearly $3 million as of Tuesday and GoFundMe VP Dan Pfeiffer tweeted about the campaign's liftoff:
"We are beyond moved by the support from all corners of the world and all walks of life," said a statement on the "Support Victims of Pulse Shooting" fundraising page. "From average Americans, large corporations, celebrities, musicians, artists, and political figures, over 65,000 donations have been made towards Equality Florida's Pulse Victim Fund, totaling to $2.8 million dollars."
"We do not know the total costs for the victims of this horrific hate crime, therefore are working to raise as much as possible and disperse the funds as fast as possible."
Volunteers wanting to donate blood overwhelmed the blood center OneBlood Sunday and the center asked donors to set up appointments for the coming days, reported the
Orlando Sentinel.
"I've been here 13 years and never seen a response like this," said Pat Michaels, a spokesman for OneBlood. "The sentiment is understood and appreciated, but it's a little too much, too soon."
KGO-TV said a senior center near a hospital treating shooting victims offered counseling services and messages were written on colored paper, creating a rainbow chain of support for victims at the hospital.
Sandra Thornton, an Air Force veteran, told KGO-TV she drove five hours from Panama City, Florida with her dog to help comfort shooting victims.
"You know, I volunteered for both deployments because the whole goal was to try to stop terrorism from happening again here," said Thornton.
The
Huffington Post said thousands participated in a vigil outside of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Monday night to pay respects to the shooting victims.
"We are heartbroken, but our community is strong," said Carlos Guillermo Smith, of Equality Florida, which supports LGBT rights. "We are resilient. And we know that love trumps hate."