LANSING, Mich. — An online fundraiser for the family members of Thomas “Jake” Sanford, who opened fire in a Michigan church and set it ablaze, has garnered more than $275,000, with the organizer describing it as a ‘whirlwind of love and forgiveness.’
The incident, which took place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, near Flint, resulted in four fatalities and left eight others injured. Police shot and killed Sanford at the scene.
Dave Butler, a lifelong member of the faith from Utah, felt compassion for Sanford’s family, recognizing them as victims of their own circumstances. 'We understand that there is a family that needs to be taken care of,' Butler noted. With a fundraising goal initially set at $10,000, Butler quickly saw donations surge after publicizing the campaign on GiveSendGo, using his connections built through podcasts discussing Latter-day Saints' faith.
As of now, over 7,000 individuals have contributed, providing funds that surpass those raised for the churchgoers who were victims of the attack. Many donors expressed messages of sympathy and support, reflecting the faith’s core principles of compassion and forgiveness.
‘Another Latter-Day Saint here, praying for this family to feel loved and supported during these challenging times,’ read one anonymous donor's message. Attorneys for the Sanford family have expressed profound sorrow regarding the victims and noted the words cannot adequately convey the family's feelings.
Butler emphasized that the response aligns with Christian values, particularly those teaching forgiveness and care for the vulnerable. 'I feel like I’m responding to an attack against us in the right way. Not to get revenge, not to get justice, not to blame the wrong people,' he stated.
In the aftermath of the attack, Lisa Louis, who lost her father, Craig Hayden, during the incident, shared that she forgave the gunman ‘with my heart’ after looking into his eyes. Such sentiments are echoed throughout the Latter-day Saints community, hoping for healing and peace in the wake of devastating violence.
The incident, which took place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Grand Blanc Township, near Flint, resulted in four fatalities and left eight others injured. Police shot and killed Sanford at the scene.
Dave Butler, a lifelong member of the faith from Utah, felt compassion for Sanford’s family, recognizing them as victims of their own circumstances. 'We understand that there is a family that needs to be taken care of,' Butler noted. With a fundraising goal initially set at $10,000, Butler quickly saw donations surge after publicizing the campaign on GiveSendGo, using his connections built through podcasts discussing Latter-day Saints' faith.
As of now, over 7,000 individuals have contributed, providing funds that surpass those raised for the churchgoers who were victims of the attack. Many donors expressed messages of sympathy and support, reflecting the faith’s core principles of compassion and forgiveness.
‘Another Latter-Day Saint here, praying for this family to feel loved and supported during these challenging times,’ read one anonymous donor's message. Attorneys for the Sanford family have expressed profound sorrow regarding the victims and noted the words cannot adequately convey the family's feelings.
Butler emphasized that the response aligns with Christian values, particularly those teaching forgiveness and care for the vulnerable. 'I feel like I’m responding to an attack against us in the right way. Not to get revenge, not to get justice, not to blame the wrong people,' he stated.
In the aftermath of the attack, Lisa Louis, who lost her father, Craig Hayden, during the incident, shared that she forgave the gunman ‘with my heart’ after looking into his eyes. Such sentiments are echoed throughout the Latter-day Saints community, hoping for healing and peace in the wake of devastating violence.
