This calls to mind the Christian charity of the Amish after the tragedy in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania.
This is a GiveSendGo page established to help the widow and children of Thomas Sanford, the man who attacked an LDA church last weekend:
My name is Dave. Like all of you, I was shocked by the murders at the LDS chapel in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on September 28. Multiple families were left grievously wounded and in need of help.
One of the families that suffered a terrible loss on that day was the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford, the shooter. Sanford leaves behind a wife and children who must be grieving. They will face financial hardship and psychological trauma as a result of this week’s horrifying events. On top of that, one of the Sanford sons deals with serious medical challenges that require ongoing care, treatment, and specialized support. In the past, the family attempted to raise funds for him, but with limited success.
I have no connection to the Sanfords or to Grand Blanc. I am an ordinary member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’m a fantasy and science fiction writer, and if you know me at all, it’s probably because you’ve seen me on an LDS YouTube channel such as the Stick of Joseph or Ward Radio.
But James teaches us that “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.” The purpose of this GiveSendGo is to do that. Every donation will go to help provide for the Sanford family daily needs, provide for ongoing medical treatment, and create some stability in a time of heartbreak and upheaval.
Thank you for your kindness, your compassion, and your willingness to lift up those who are suffering.
A CNN article about the family noted:
Social media accounts linked to Sanford’s family show that he was married with at least one child, a young son. On a GoFundMe page from 2015, the family asked for donations to help pay for the medical care of Sanford’s son, who was born with a rare genetic disorder.
The newborn baby was diagnosed with a condition called Congenital Hyperinsulinism, which required a lengthy hospital stay and several surgeries to remove portions of the pancreas, according to a family Facebook page documenting the difficult journey.
The child’s medical condition took a financial toll on the family, with one local news article reporting that Sanford took leave from his work as a truck driver for Coca-Cola to be with his son.
“Don’t ever take having healthy kids for granted,” Sanford is quoted as saying in another article. “We are proud of our child. I spent four years in the Marine Corps and was in Iraq and this is still the most unique thing to deal with.”
You can donate here.
