In less than two day, donations to help rebuilding the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris have reached one billion dollars. The incredible kind gesture have inspired people to donate for rebuilding three churches in Louisiana that were intentionally burned down, CNN reports.
The intentionally set fires burned three historically black churches in rural St. Landry Parish — about 30 miles north of Lafayette — St. Mary Baptist Church on March 26, Greater Union Baptist Church on April 2 and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on April 4.
With around $1.8 million needed to rebuild the three churches, more than $150,000 have been donated last week. However, on Tuesday, the GoFundMe campaign reached $1 million. All after the campaign was widely spread on social media in the aftermath of the Notre Dame devastating fire. So far more than $1,400,000 have been raised in donations.
As we hold Paris in our thoughts today, let’s also send some love to our neighbors in Louisiana. Three historically black churches have burned in recent weeks, charring buildings and scattering communities. If you can, contribute to rebuilding funds here: https://t.co/OSteYWzU9v
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 16, 2019
My heart is broken over the loss of Notre Dame.
The Catholic Church is also one of the world’s wealthiest entities.
If you are going to donate money to rebuild a church this week, I implore you to make it the black churches in St. Landry Parish. https://t.co/HBh4n80nT1
— Megan Romer (@meganromer) April 16, 2019
“It’s a blessing,” the Rev. Gerald Toussaint, pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, said of the money raised. “It’s going to help our community. What the devil meant for bad, God’s going to turn it into something good.”
After the announcement that the French most wealthiest donated huge amounts of money for the historic cathedral, went viral the donations for Louisiana churches reached the incredible $1 million milestone.
36. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
We did it! We just crossed the 1 million dollar mark!!!!!
Look at what you got done!!!
I may be crying in a Starbucks right now, I am so moved by your generosity!!!
We have to keep it going! These churches and the community need ushttps://t.co/gj1BcNsGpu
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) April 17, 2019
The GoFundMe. started by the Seventh District Baptist Association is working with government officials and local leaders to make sure all money raised is given to the three churches, according to the event page.
The man accused of setting the churches on fire is the 21-year-old, Holden Matthews. He pleaded not guilty to the three counts.