GoFundMe Users Raise More Than $575,000 for West Virginia Flood Recovery | The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel

Neighbors are banding together to raise money for West Virginia flood recovery.

By

Sean Breslin

June 30, 2016




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In the wake of the disastrous West Virginia floods, many of the Good Samaritans who have helped with the recovery are providing much-needed aid without even getting up from their computer.

According to personal fundraising website GoFundMe, more than 300 campaigns have been launched to raise money for flood victims since the natural disaster last week. The website is a more intimate donating experience, where people can give money for specific flood victims or rebuilding projects as opposed to sending their money to the overall relief effort.

So far, these campaigns have raised more than $575,000 for West Virginia flood relief, according to Bobby Whithorne, director of strategic communications at GoFundMe.

(MORE: Cleanup Begins After 23 Killed By West Virginia Floods)


Jimmy Scott gets a hug from Anna May Watson, left, as they clean up from severe flooding in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on Friday, June 24, 2016.

(AP Photo/Steve Helber)


“Obviously, our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the horrific flood," Whithorne told weather.com. "The GoFundMe community coming together to support those who have either lost a loved one or been impacted by the flood – we encourage everyone to continue to donate to support these important campaigns and to help those individuals impacted by this tragic event.”

Many of the campaigns started by West Virginia residents are quite specific. With titles like "Elk River Bridge Rebuild Project" and "Jean and Amelia Lost Everything," there's little ambiguity about who's benefitting from the donations. And if there's a fear that scammers could be lurking on the site, Whithorne said GoFundMe employees maintain an intimate relationship with those who start campaigns to ensure their motives are legitimate and the money goes to the appropriate causes.

While most of the fundraisers have been started by West Virginians, campaigns have been launched by residents who live as far away as Florida, Utah and even Hawaii.

Founded six years ago, GoFundMe has frequently been a source of quick fundraising in the wake of a catastrophe, especially in the weather world. The 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes inspired campaigns that raised $350,000, and recovery efforts from the South Carolina floods received $1.1 million in funding from GoFundMe donors. When last year's Nepal earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people, GoFundMe campaigns raised $7.4 million worldwide.

“The platform was built so folks can quickly turn to the online community, their friends and family, and give quickly and easily to the folks in need after an emergency situation,” said Whithorne.

On Wednesday, country music star and West Virginia native Brad Paisley launched his own GoFundMe campaign, pledging $100,000 toward a final goal of $1 million.

If you'd like to browse the campaigns currently collecting money, visit GoFundMe to find out what you can do to help.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Catastrophic Flooding in West Virginia


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Bridgeport, West Virginia, fireman Ryan Moran exits a home as he and a crew search homes in Rainelle, W.Va., Saturday, June 25, 2016. Heavy rains that pummeled West Virginia left multiple people dead, and authorities said Saturday that an unknown number of people in the hardest-hit county remained unaccounted for. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)