PRESTON – Preston High School graduate Benjamin Phelps and his son were two of the 10 injured in Sunday’s attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. Members of the PHS 2005 graduating class were notified Monday.
Sarah Kunzler, a friend of Phelps, organized an online fundraiser for the family with a goal of raising $15,000.
“We are grateful to share that his son has returned home, but Benjamin still faces a long and difficult recovery,” Kunzler said. “As the Phelps, Bolingbroke, and Swainston families, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers, love, and support.”
She then quoted a Book of Mormon verse.
“As Mosiah 18:9 reminds us, we are called to ‘mourn with those that mourn… and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.’ We know that through Jesus Christ, true healing and peace are possible, and we are grateful for the love being shown to Benjamin and his family.”
As of Tuesday at 12 p.m., the online page had raised over $45,000. For those who would like to contribute to funds, but would rather use Venmo: @Benjamin-Phelps-5.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support — thank you all so much!” Kunzler wrote on the page. “Because of your generosity, we met our goal in less than 3 hours. Since we don’t yet know the full extent of what Benjamin and his family will need in the coming weeks and months, we’ll be keeping this fundraiser open for anyone who would still like to donate.”
Others from the congregation have organized fund raisers for other victims of the church attack.
On Sunday morning, 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford drove a truck into the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before setting the building on fire. He then opened fire on a congregation of about 150 people. Two worshippers were killed by gunfire, and two additional bodies were later discovered in the burned remains of the church.
Police said responding officers shot and killed Sanford within minutes of arriving.
Military records confirm Sanford was a former U.S. Marine who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2008. A Burton resident reported that Sanford had previously voiced strong anti-Mormon views. He is survived by a wife and family, and an online fundraiser supporting them has already brought in more than $20,000.
In response to the tragedy, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags on all public buildings and grounds across the state to be lowered to half-staff through Friday in honor of the victims.
Crowdfunding campaigns are created by individual users. While the platforms have their own safety measures, Cache Valley Daily cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information or the final use of the funds. Donors should exercise their own judgment.