Fundraiser for injured Belleville cop nears $1M in donations
· Toronto Sun
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A fundraiser for the Belleville police officer critically injured during a shootout at a synagogue last month is nearing $1-million in donations.
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Const. Jeff Smith was stationed near the Sons of Jacob Synagogue as the city’s Jewish community was gathering for Yom Kippur services on Sept. 20 when an armed man approached shortly after 7 p.m.
Belleville Police said, following an exchange of gunfire, Smith and the gunman were seriously injured. Const. Michael McCurdy, Smith’s backup, also helped stop the gunman.
While bullets damaged the synagogue’s windows, congregants inside took shelter and were not injured.
The shooter was identified as Sean Ward, a 29-year-old former Canadian Armed Forces member. He died of his injuries a day later.
Smith suffered critical injuries and continues to recover in hospital.
Money raised to support officer’s recovery
A GoFundMe was created by Toronto resident Derek Kreindler shortly after the shooting to support Smith’s family in what will be a long and difficult recovery, and to show gratitude for his courage defending the people inside the synagogue while putting himself in harm’s way.
“This fundraiser is also intended to send a clear message to Const. Smith and his fellow officers: the Jewish community remembers those who protect us. We will not forget what he did outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue,” Kreindler wrote.
The campaign has collected $959,500 from more than 8,200 donations as of Wednesday.
“My hope is that we are able to reach $1,000,000 by the time Constable Smith has been discharged from hospital,” Kreindler wrote in a later update. “Please keep spreading the word and encouraging others to give generously.”
Kreindler said the officer’s wife, Ashley Smith, has been made the beneficiary of the funds and that the campaign will continue indefinitely until either Smith’s family or Belleville Police asks to stop.
Separate fundraiser for synagogue
A separate GoFundMe for the synagogue was created to help pay for security costs and repairs, which now sits at more than $100,000 collected.
“Sons of Jacob may be a small synagogue, but it has been the heart of Jewish life in the Bay of Quinte for generations,” wrote Hadas Brajtman, the fundraiser’s organizer.
“Professional estimates put the essential security work needed at approximately $90,000, and foundational work to maintain the integrity of the building itself at a minimum of 30k.”
Brajtman said the money is about more than repairing what was damaged during the shooting.
“It is about ensuring our children can grow up with a Jewish community they are proud of, families can gather for Shabbat and holidays, and our elders can walk through these doors feeling safe.”
Brajtman said a goal of $120,000 is needed to help make the synagogue safer.