Central Oregon Strong: Local churches raise over $75,000 for Silver Rail Elementary victims

CENTRAL OREGON (KTVZ) -- Eighteen Central Oregon churches have formed a coalition called Churches Together for Bend, raising more than $75,000 to assist Silver Rail Elementary School following a shooting two weeks ago that killed three children and a teacher. The effort was announced today.

The coalition has disbursed the majority of the funds to address immediate practical needs for Silver Rail teachers and staff. In addition to staff relief, the churches are offering free counseling, trauma therapy, bill assistance and meals to staff and student families throughout Bend-La Pine Schools. Shortly after the shooting, the group also paid for two days of play for Silver Rail students at a local family venue.

The religious leaders of Churches Together for Bend outlined their initiative in a joint letter released to the community. “Words seem inadequate to express the depth of our grief,” the pastors wrote. “And yet our faith in Christ compels us to offer more than our thoughts and prayers.”

Brandon Blumberg, lead pastor of New Hope Church, reflected on the community response and the pledge for ongoing care. “Our hearts are broken for the families who lost a child, for a classroom that lost its teacher and for every student and staff member who lived through that afternoon,” Blumberg said. “We have also seen the best of Bend: teachers who protected their students, citizens and first responders who ran toward danger and neighbors who showed up for one another. Churches, even amid difference, are united in our love for Jesus and care for our town. We will support the Silver Rail community quietly and faithfully for the months and years ahead. Healing and restoration are hard and we will be here for you.”

Churches Together for Bend functions as an open coalition of Christian churches from various denominations across Central Oregon. The 18 participating congregations include

• Antioch
• Bend Mennonite Church
• Bend Nazarene
• Bend UMC
• Church of the Cascades
• Compass Church
• Epikos Church
• First Presbyterian
• Foundry Church
• Grace First Lutheran
• La Pine Church of the Nazarene
• Living Waters Fellowship
• Nativity Lutheran Church
• New Hope Church
• Resurrection Anglican
• Riverbend Church
• Sunriver Christian Fellowship
• Westside Church.

Organizers noted that the letter remains open to any other area congregations that wish to sign on at togetherforbend.org.

The coalition stated it will consult with school administration and local leaders as additional needs emerge in the coming weeks. “The news cycle will move on, but we're not going anywhere,” the pastors wrote in their letter. “We are called and committed to this city. We love you and we are here to serve you.”