This story is a reminder that even in the depths of despair, the human spirit can soar, especially when we put our hearts and minds to it. In this case, I’m referring to the death of teacher Irma Garcia, who was killed alongside 20 students and another teacher at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Texas. Irma left behind four children and within the days that followed, her husband Joe Garcia died from a heart attack, Mediaite reports.

I cannot imagine the horrible grief the Garcia family must be dealing with but it is heartening to know that a GoFundMe fundraiser set up by Jamie and Debra Austin has raised $2,405,200. Austin is Debra’s cousin.

“She loved her classroom kids and died trying to protect them,” Austin wrote. “Please donate anything you can to help her family. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Garcia family for various expenses. Thank you and God bless.”

The page, set up Wednesday, got a huge boost thanks to social media shares. Among them, is a tweet from Bill Pulte, CEO of Pulte Capital, sent out to his more than 3 million Twitter followers.

Teammates of Twitter Philanthropy Help Raise $1.9 Million (now $2.125 Million) in 72 hours for Family of Slain Texas Teacher

THANK YOU TEAM FROM THE PULTE FAMILY ! https://t.co/broa8THCXM pic.twitter.com/4Lyz48CRQ1

— Pulte (@pulte) May 27, 2022

Initially, the goal for the campaign was to raise $10,000, but when the page flew past its initial goal, Garcia’s nephew, John Martinez, expressed gratitude to those who in some way, contributed.

“Please know and let people know on behalf of the famiy, I’m more than grateful and elated at the overwhelming love and support, whether it be the kind words, the donations, or even just spreading the word, it means a lot to us,” he said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press.

GoFundMe has set up its own page dedicated to raising funds for the victims of the Uvalde shooting and it includes a list of verified accounts that people can donate to.

There has also been a fundraising page set up for Miah Cerillo who detailed the ordeal she went through when the gunman barricaded himself in her classroom. She tells the story of covering herself with blood and playing dead while police waited outside. She’s having real trouble talking to men and is dealing with other issues related to the shooting that will require therapy. That effort has raised nearly $330,000.

And there are ongoing efforts to raise funds for parents whose children were killed as well as for others who survived but suffered injuries that require surgery. This includes little Kendall Olivarez, 9, who was shot in the left shoulder by the gunman and has bullet fragments in her tailbone and right leg, says her aunt, Jennifer Olivarez, who set up the page. Kendall is going to need several surgeries, but fortunately, her account has raised nearly $86,000.

There are a total of 21 pages listed on GoFundMe, all set up by family members and victims who are trying to cope with the physical and mental trauma of the shooting. You can donate here.

It is heartening to see people responding and helping so much. Now if only right-wing politicians would do their jobs and outlaw semi-automatic rifles, the country might begin to be a safer place for children to grow up.