AUSTIN, Texas — An outpouring of support has surrounded the community of Uvalde, Texas, with millions of dollars raised for the families of victims killed and survivors of the Robb Elementary shooting that left 21 dead and 17 injured.
In the small town of Uvalde, made up of around 16,000 people, coming together to support friends and loved ones has always been part of the culture. Now, as the world watches the community grieve, support has also come from outside the mostly Latino community through GoFundMe donations and other online efforts.
In total, more than 5.5 million dollars have been raised, as of Sunday evening.
One of the biggest pools of donations has been from the family of Joe and Irma Garcia, with more than $2.5 million raised. Irma Garcia was one of two teachers killed in Tuesday’s shooting. Just two days later, her husband, Joe, died of a heart attack.
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The two had been married for over 20 years and had four children.
The page is run by Debra Austin, one of Irma’s cousins, and will benefit the couple’s four children, according to the website.
“I want to thank all the donors around the world who contributed to these wonderful children,” the organizers wrote on the GoFundMe page on Sunday morning. “The prayers, love and support you sent are so appreciated and needed as they continue their journey through life without their mother and father.”
GoFundMe campaigns for victims
At least 21 other GoFundMe pages are circulating online, all of which have been verified by the crowdfunding platform to help prevent scammers from profiting from the tragedy.
Pages have been created for Eva Mireles, the second of two teachers killed on Tuesday, and students (click the link to see their GoFundMe page): Amerie Jo Garza, Alithia Ramirez, Tess Mata, Nevaeh Bravo, Xavier Lopez, Jayce Luevanos , Eliahna Torres, Maite Rodríguez, Jailah Silguero, Makenna Lee Elrod, Alexandria Rubio, Rojelio Torres, Layla Salazar and Eliahna Garcia.
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A few of the pages also include funds for the medical, physical and counseling needs of surviving victims, including fourth-grade teacher Arnulfo Reyes, who was seriously injured while protecting his students, and students: Kendall Olivarez , Miah Cerrillo and Noah Orona.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have also been raised by other verified GoFundMe pages for the Uvalde community.