Barrow Community Crisis Fund raises support following Apalachee tragedy

Barrow County Crisis Fund helps Apalachee recover

A Barrow County Crisis Fund has been established to help the Apalachee High School community heal after the tragic shooting that killed two students, two teachers, and injured nine others. Here’s how the fund works and how you can contribute.

BARROW COUNTY, GEORGIA – As Apalachee students return to school, various fundraisers continue throughout the community. One of the largest is the Barrow Community Crisis Fund, which was activated after the tragedy on September 4th.

“We activated this fund so that donors, fundraisers, have a verified legitimate place for their money to go to help with these relief efforts,” said Douglas Mitchell, Barrow Community Foundation Board Chair.

A sign of support for the Barrow County community in Winder following the Apalachee High School shooting. (FOX 5)

The Barrow Community Foundation, along with a committee made up of various community members including Apalachee faculty, a county official and medical personnel, will take the donated funds and give them in the form of grants to organizations supporting the recovery effort. They have already received or were promised tens of thousands of dollars.

“They have a much better understanding of what the specific needs of the community are and how this money will provide the best benefit to the community,” Mitchell explained.

Signs in front of Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop in Barrow County. (FOX 5)

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One of the first fundraisers to support the crisis fund was the sale of ribbons for people to display in support of Apalachee at Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop, a cornerstone of the community for eighty years.

“Of course there are families that they can go to, but with counseling or other events that the school will organize, they won’t be financially burdened by not being able to do that,” explains Paige Stinchcomb, manager of Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop.

Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop in Barrow County is selling ribbons to raise money for the Barrow Community Crisis Fund. (FOX 5)

They have already shipped about 1,500 orders and have dozens more to fill by the end of the month. The foundation plans to keep the crisis fund open until June of next year.

“Harm can come in many different ways, so we’re trying to be a fund that can help in all those different ways over the long term,” Mitchell said.

Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop in Barrow County is selling ribbons to raise money for the Barrow Community Crisis Fund. (FOX 5)

You can learn more about how to partner Donate to the Barrow Community Foundation or apply for a grant here.