WS Chronicle

In photo above: Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines (File photo)

Special to The Chronicle

Mayor Allen Joines is urging city residents to support the family and friends of the victims of the shooting at Emanuel A.M.E. Church.

“I encourage every citizen of Winston-Salem to support those here who have been personally affected by the loss of family and friends,” Joines said, “and to keep them, the victims, their families and the citizens of Charleston in their thoughts and prayers.”

On behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Winston-Salem, Joines expressed his condolences in a letter sent June 18 to Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley.

Joines is also urging city residents to donate to two funds that have been established in the wake of the tragedy.
These funds are:

*The Mother Emanuel Hope Fund. This fund, established by the city of Charleston, will provide direct financial support for the funeral and burial expenses of the nine victims. Any funds remaining after the funeral and burial expenses are paid will be donated directly to the Emanuel A.M.E. Church for use as determined by its governance board. Donations to this fund are not tax-deductible.
These donations can be made:

–By sending a check to Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, c/o City of Charleston, Post Office Box 304, Charleston, SC 29402

–By stopping by any Wells Fargo Bank nationwide and making a donation to the fund.

–By going to www.bidr.co/prayforcharleston or texting “prayforcharleston” to 843-606-5995. Bidr is a company based in Charleston that helps raise funds for organizations and events.

*Lowcountry Ministries – Reverend Pinckney Fund. This fund will be administered by the Palmetto Project (a South Carolina nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of South Carolinians). All donations to this fund will support initiatives that Pinckney was passionate about, including his home church, vulnerable populations and youth projects. Decisions on the use of these funds will be made by a committee comprising members of Pinckney’s family, colleagues, representatives from Emanuel A.M.E. Church, and other members of the community selected for their specific expertise. These donations will be tax deductible. Donations can be made:

–By sending a check to Lowcountry Ministries – Reverend Pinckney Fund, c/o The Palmetto Project, 6296 Rivers Avenue #100, North Charleston, SC 29406.

–By donating online at palmettoproject.org.