Just in time for everyone to start their Thanksgiving break, Emanuel AME Church announced that it has received $3.4 million in donations following the tragic shooting on June 17 that claimed the lives of nine of its parishioners. The announcement came late Wednesday afternoon and included details about how the funds are to be distributed.
According to a statement released by the church, the estates of the families of the victims and the five survivors will receive almost $1.5 million. Of the total donations received by the church, $280,000 was designated for the victims, and approximately $80,000 was intended for the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund established by the City of Charleston. An additional $1.135 million is being donated by the church to the survivors and victims’ families.
“The church, in its benevolence, has made what we feel like is a tremendous gift out of honor to the victims’ families and the survivors, too,” said Rev. Norvel Goff Sr., interim pastor for Mother Emanuel. In October, Goff defended the handling of donations received by the church following an article in the Post & Courier investigating claims about his past financial management at other churches.
The remaining donations will be distributed among the Mother Emanuel Fund, which will be used for “physical plant improvements;” a fund to create a physical memorial for the victims and their families; and the Mother Emanuel/Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney Endowment Fund for future scholarships and community outreach. Due to pending legal action, no date was announced for when the funds will be distributed.
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