BDx13 - 10-12-2006 at 12:18 AM
October 10, 2006
The statement that follows is released by the Nickel Mines Accountability Committee on behalf of the people of Nickel Mines and the surrounding
communities that were affected by the shooting at the Nickel Mines Amish School .
Statement of thanks to the public and plans for use of contributions
Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania ? On October 2 seven Amish families in our community experienced the unimaginable -- ten of their young daughters were
shot, five fatally, by a gunman who invaded the Amish school where their children attended. The whole community, Amish and others, were horrified and
shocked that such evil could be done to the most innocent members of our peaceful community.
Messages of condolence and care, financial contributions, and offers of all kinds of assistance began to pour into the community almost immediately
from the local community and from around the world. We, the people of the Nickel Mines community, are humbled and deeply thankful for this outpouring
of love. Each act of kindness, the prayers and every gift, small or large, comfort us and assure us that our spirits will heal even though the painful
loss will always be with us. Thank you for your generous kindness and for walking with us in this ?valley of death?. We wish we could thank each of
you personally.
In those first hours and days we experienced personally the love and care of our neighbors and the public and private service providers as they
responded tirelessly and selflessly. Specifically, we acknowledge and thank the following: volunteer fire companies, especially the Bart Township fire
company; fire police; Lancaster County Sheriff?s Department; Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement people; ambulance and emergency
response teams; hospitals and all the related medical providers; coroners; churches; community volunteer groups; transportation providers; and the
Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service, the Anabaptist Foundation and the numerous banks and businesses that are collecting funds. To
all those we failed to mention, thank you, and apologies for not naming you.
We thank people from the news media who sensitively reported our tragedy to the world and in many cases wrote thoughtful commentary that helped the
world grapple with values that are dear to us -- forgiveness, non-violence, mutual caring, simplicity and life in a community of faith. Above all,
thank you for the acts of kindness you showed us even while you were doing your reporting work.
The Roberts family is also suffering. Please join us in showering care on them, praying for them and in assisting them with financial needs that they
face.
We have organized the Nickel Mines Accountability Committee to receive contributions and apply them to the needs that resulted from the shootings:
medical and counseling services, transportation for victims, transportation and extra living expenses for family members attending to the victims,
rehabilitation, long-term disability care, modifications to homes or schools if needed to make facilities handicap accessible, and any other expenses
resulting from the event.
If adequate funds are received contributions may be made to charity funds of health service providers and to volunteer public service entities that
responded to this event without charging for their services. Funds received in excess of what is needed to respond to the Nickel Mines Amish School
tragedy will be contributed, as the committee deems appropriate, to needs arising from other tragic events within or outside the Amish community.
Thank you and God bless you.
BDx13 - 10-12-2006 at 12:20 AM
This is probably the last time I'll bring up the topic of this tragedy.
The five girls killed have been buried.
The killer has been buried. More Amish attended his funeral than did family and friends.
The school house is being torn down tomorrow morning.
At the request of the families, the hospitals caring for the remaining five children are no longer giving updates on their conditions.
Those same hospitals have announced that they will be donating their services to the families free of charge. That said, those who survive face
life-long challenges. Please consider showing your support of these people in anyway you can.
Cards or letters of condolence to the victims' families can be sent via:
Bart Township Fire Company
PO Box 72
11 Furnace Road
Bart, PA 17503
Also, for donations to the families, please consider:
Amish School Recovery Fund
Mennonite Central Committee
12 South 12th Street
P.O. Box 500
Akron, PA 17501-0500
http://www.mds.mennonite.net
(Donations can be sent directly or will be accepted at Fulton Bank branches. This is the only option for online contributions.)
Anabaptist Foundation
Attention: Nickel Mines School Victims Fund
P.O. Box 27
Mifflinburg, PA 17844
(Donations can be sent directly or will be accepted at Bank of Lancaster County, Ephrata National Bank, HomeTowne Heritage Bank and Susquehanna Bank
branches.)
Nickel Mines Children?s Funds and/or Roberts Family Fund
Coatesville Savings Bank
1082 Georgetown Road
Paradise, PA 17562
http://www.coatesvillesavings.com