At least four funds have been established to help pay medical costs connected to Monday’s shootings.

Working through Herman Bontrager, secretary/treasurer of the National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom, a fund has been established at the Strasburg office of HomeTowne Heritage bank, a division of National Penn Bank.

“The Amish are willing to accept gifts to be used to help pay medical costs, both immediate and long term,” Bontrager said.

He said the Amish are “very humble,” and “they want it to be made very clear they are not promoting this, but they are willing to accept help.”

Donations may be sent to Nickel Mines School Victims Fund, HomeTowne Heritage Bank, 100 Historic Drive, P.O. Box 337, Strasburg, PA 17579, or at any division of National Penn Bank.

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Bontrager said another fund is being set up through Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Services. According to MCC’s Web site, contributions may be sent to the MCC U.S., 21 S. 12th St., P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500.

Donations may also be made by phone by calling 859-1151 or (888) 563-4676 or online at www.mds.mennonite.net.

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Two more funds have been established through Coatesville Savings Bank. Contributions to either the Nickel Mines Children’s Funds or the Roberts Family Fund may be sent to the Coatesville Savings Bank, 1082 Georgetown Road, Paradise, PA 17562.

The Roberts Family Fund was set up to benefit the family of the gunman, who had a wife and three children under age 8.

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In addition, Capital Blue Cross is setting up a $500,000 medical fund. According to a company press release, the fund will be used to “assist the victims of the attack” by helping them pay for “medical and other urgent care for the victims,” as well as the “ongoing needs of their families and their community.”

“Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy and to their families,” said Capital Blue Cross CEO Anita Smith in the release. “We want to do what we can to help our neighbors and their community as they recover and heal.”

Bontrager said the outpouring of help is “overwhelming,” but also said he’s concerned by the number of funds created before a mechanism is in place for identifying needs and distributing the money.

“What we are in the process of doing is trying to organize these various funds, so we can channel the money where it needs to go,” he said.

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Nonmonetary help includes Upward Care Counseling Services in New Holland and Georgetown, which is offering up to two weeks of free counseling to victims and their families.

“We counsel many people in the Plain community,” said counslor Drew Metcalf. “We walk humbly with the Amish community, and they trust us.”

Metcalf said he and others from Upward Call spent much of Monday, after the shooting, talking with the families of victims at the Levi King farm in Nickel Mines, where the families gathered in the wake of the tragedy.

Metcalf said counseling may be done in one of the agency’s offices, or at home. Group sessions also are available.

He said Upward Call also will serve as a “link” between the Amish and other Christian counselors who wish to volunteer their services.

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Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau said people who wish to help in other ways may offer transportation to Amish families who must travel long distances to visit their injured children in hospitals.

Meals and lodging also are needed to assist relatives of the victims who have traveled to Lancaster to be with their families.

The visitors bureau will be working with the Amish community to identify needs, and ask anyone who wants to help can contact Janet Wall at the PA Dutch CVB at jwall@padutchcountry.com or 391-6005.

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Last, those wishing to send cards or letters of condolence to the victims’ families may send them to Bart Township Fire Company, P.O. Box 72, 11 Furnace Road, Bart, PA 17503.

Bontrager said the Amish are “very appreciative” of the outpouring of help.

“They feel so humbled by it,” he said. blog comments powered by Disqus