There are many things that Mississippi is known for, both good and bad. Of those distinctions, we find what might appear, at first blush, to be paradoxical: Mississippi is known as one of the poorest states and yet it is also known as one of the most generous.
Upon reflection, this odd coupling is understandable. The people of our state, more than others, understand what it’s like to face a financial crisis. There is nothing abstract about it. Many of us have been there, understand the fear and uncertainty it induces and respond with empathy and generosity.
This week, the crowd-funding website GoFundMe celebrated a milestone: The six-year-old fundraising website based in northern California reached the $3-billon mark in donations. The company also released figures for the state and the Golden Triangle. Mississippians raised $12.3 million for 17,000 GoFundMe campaigns collecting 195,000 donations
In the Golden Triangle alone, 670 GoFundMe campaigns generated 9,500 donations raising $614,000. On average, that’s almost $65 per donation, but a search of the website finds that donations run from as little as $5 to the thousands of dollars.
Most likely, Mississippians donated to GoFundMe accounts outside the state as well and, of course, we are well aware that the GoFundMe donations represents only a fraction of our charitable giving. There are also other crowd-funding sites that attract our attention – IndieGoGo and KickStarter being among the better known.
Although people can launch GoFundMe campaigns for any number of causes — from frivolous to serious — Kate Cichy, a spokesperson for the company, says most of the campaigns are started to help people who have found themselves facing emergencies — illness, accident, death, loss of home — events that come without warning and leave those affected in dire straits.
GoFundMe accounts can be set up in a matter of minutes and begin generating funds almost immediately, which can be especially important in emergency situations.
It is yet another tool by which we can express the wonderful generosity of our people and we are pleased to note that so many Mississippians are taking advantage of it.
We certainly have reason to lament many of the ills our state is known for. But in this respect, we can all draw a measure of pride. When the chips are down and things seem hopeless, Mississippians have proven they will respond with generosity.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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