One Fund Boston Raises $20 Million in First Week
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Scott Eisen/Bloomberg via Getty Images(BOSTON) — Boston Mayor Thomas Menino announced Tuesday that the One Fund Boston has raised $20 million in its first week since the marathon bombing on April 15.
Speaking during a news conference, Menino said more than 50,000 people had donated to the fund. Of those gifts, nearly $5 million were online donations from around the world.
“This past week, our state triumphed over terror and showed the world the meaning of ‘Boston Strong,’” Menino said.
The mayor thanked donors for their “unbelievable outpouring and generosity,” saying the fund would “help the families most affected by Monday’s tragic event.”
Three people died in last Monday’s bombing near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. An MIT police officer was also shot on April 18 by the suspects.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Menino and the fund’s administrator, Kenneth Feinberg, shared details about the One Fund, which was initially launched with a $1 million donation from Boston-based financial services firm John Hancock.
The first payments are expected to be distributed on June 30.
A number of groups have announced donations to the fund, including $646,500 from Major League Baseball and its players association.
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