Fundraisers underway for victims of Kentucky military helicopter crash. How you can give
Nine soldiers died last week when two military helicopters collided in Kentucky. Now, some of their families are looking for help.
The crash occurred last Wednesday during a routine training mission out of Fort Campbell, located on the border of Kentucky and Tennessee. The nine soldiers, identified by the U.S. Army this week, were all part of the 101st Airborne Division.
Here’s what you can do to support their loved ones during this difficult period.
How to support the helicopter crash victims’ families
One method of support is through a series of fundraiser drives established by the service members’ families. So far, at least three GoFundMe campaigns are collecting funds to help the soldiers’ loved ones, cover funeral costs and more.
A GoFundMe campaign for Sgt. David Solinas Jr., a 23-year-old from Oradell, N.J., has already raised more than $46,000 through nearly 600 individual donations, overwhelmingly surpassing an original $5,000 goal. The campaign hopes to cover Solinas’ funeral arrangements and support his local community.
“We are asking for donations to contribute to a fund to commemorate his life and honor him in a way that will allow David to continue to give back to his community well beyond his final flight,” the Solinas family wrote on the page. “This will serve as the one and only fundraising effort sanctioned and approved by the family.”
The Solinas family’s GoFundMe drive is available online at www.gofundme.com/f/sgt-david-solinas-jr-memorial.
Another GoFundMe campaign seeks to directly benefit the family of Staff Sgt. Caleb Gore, a 25-year-old from Morehead City, N.C. So far, the drive has raised just north of $3,200 on the way to a $10,000 goal.
Each dollar collected through the fundraiser will benefit Gore’s family, according to its description.
“Please join us in pouring love over the Gore/McLeod family as they grieve the loss of their husband, son, brother and friend,” the page reads. “In the wake of this tragic accident, we honor Caleb by caring for those he loved so well.”
The fundraiser to support Gore’s family is available online at www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-tribute-to-caleb-gore.
Finally, another GoFundMe campaign is collecting funds to help the family of Sgt. Isaac John Gayo, a 27-year-old from Los Angeles. The drive has garnered nearly $4,300 in four days and is on its way to reaching its $10,000 goal.
Gayo’s family lives in the Philippines, the page says. Collected funds will help the late soldier’s loved ones “with any needs [they] may face during this unimaginably difficult time,” according to the fundraiser’s description.
“Everyone who’s had the chance to meet [him] knew he is a loving son, brother and boyfriend,” the GoFundMe drive reads. “He is always willing to help anyone and however he could, loves to make people laugh and always has a good time. We have plans, we have dreams, and to know we won’t be able to accomplish them together hurt me. He was just 27 years old.”
The Gayo family’s fundraiser is available online at www.gofundme.com/f/ebgfd-to-help-my-mom.
This story may be updated to include future fundraisers and support initiatives that benefit the victims and their families.
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