How You Can Help Families Of Baltimore Bridge Collapse

BALTIMORE, MD — In less than nine hours, a GoFundMe donation drive to benefit the families of six immigrant road workers killed in the Key Bridge collapse soared past its goal of $18,000 to top $98,000 organizers said.

“WOW! We cannot believe the response we got,” organizers from the Latino Racial Justice Circle wrote. “Thank you to everyone who donated to this fundraiser. The community response was truly amazing, and this is why we love Baltimore.”

The GoFundMe page had raised $98,336 by Wednesday when donations closed. Organizers directed people to continue giving to the fundraiser the Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs set up.

People can donate online at www.baltimorecivicfund.org.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said Thursday, “Our first priority continues to be making sure we bring these people home.”

The road crew was on the bridge patching potholes on I-695 overnight Tuesday when the cargo ship Dali lost power and steering and slammed into a support of the Baltimore bridge, bringing the entire structure down.

Read all of Patch's Key Bridge collapse coverage here.

Two men’s bodies were found in a pickup truck: Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk.

Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, of northwestern Honduras was one of the workers killed, along with Miguel Luna, from El Salvador. Government officials and families have not named the other two men who died; all four victims are presumed dead and buried in the wreckage of the bridge. As of Thursday evening, large cranes were moving into place to remove the debris and allow divers to retrieve the bodies.

Since the GoFundMe exceeded its goal, organizers closed it to donations and ask that anyone who wants to support the families donate to the Baltimore Civic Fund. The agency said donations will be distributed to the families of those impacted.

“While monetary support can never replace the loss of a loved one, our goal is to help ease the burden of those affected by this tragedy,” the site said.

Organizations and individuals who want to make larger one-time or ongoing donations should contact Rachel Donegan, Director of Partnerships at Baltimore Civic Fund at rachel@baltimorecivicfund.org.

The GoFundMe proceeds, organized by the volunteer group Latino Racial Justice Circle, would be “distributed directly” to the “families of the victims” of the bridge collapse.

The missing men are from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, Col. Roland Butler Jr. of the Maryland State Police said.

The GoFundMe organizers wrote, “We know that the 6 victims were all Latino immigrants,” some of whom “were supporting partners and children in the Southeast Baltimore and Dundalk communities.”

“As they move forward with their shock and grief, the families will need support with basic needs, such as rent, groceries, and utilities,” they wrote.