01/01/2026
Southport Cares Mass Shooting – 3 Month Update 12/31/25
We wanted to provide a 3-month financial update, outline next steps and begin to highlight the amazing work done by our community over the last 3 months to raise money for the victims of the mass shooting.
Financial Update (As of 12/31/25)
• Funds raised to date - The community has raised and donated $346,223.35 to Southport Cares to support the victims of the mass shooting. That is an incredible amount!! There are still some fundraising efforts in process, so we are expecting some additional income.
• Funds distributed thus far - Southport Cares has distributed 77% of that money ($265,278.13) to date to the victims, which includes the following 4 groups:
1. Families of the deceased (3 families)
2. Wounded patrons ( 8 )
3. Impacted employees at American Fish and Frying Pan (24)
4. Support efforts for the healing of the survivors group.
• Future Funding – As of right now, the remaining funds are intended to be used as follows (subject to change based on need):
- $55,000 is being held in reserve for ongoing support for those still receiving medical care (including surgeries and rehabilitation) as well as continued support for the families of the deceased. We are in constant contact with these individuals and families to assess their ongoing needs.
- The remaining balance will likely be used to support the survivors’ group, including future meetings and potentially some future efforts to honor those killed and impacted by the shooting.
- We remain committed to distributing 100% of the funds received to the 4 groups (listed above) that have always been identified as the intended recipients of the money raised. We will continue to provide periodic financial updates until all funds have been distributed.
• 100% of the money donated goes to the victims – Just a reminder that the board of Southport Cares pays all banking, PayPal and other associated expenses so that every dollar donated goes 100% to the victims. To date, the board has covered $1,242.66 in PayPal and banking expenses and $155.25 for additional insurance coverages for the fundraising efforts.
The Support of this Community is Amazing
We continue to be inspired by the strength and resolve of those impacted by the tragedy. Each person and family will be scarred forever, and each will find their own timing and their own path to healing. The survivors have come together almost as a second family, connecting and supporting each other, and looking out for one another. The prayers and support from this community have not been lost on them and have been a big part of their healing process. They see that the community has been and will always be there for them as they go through their own paths to recovery.
We felt that this would be a good time to start sharing some of the amazing efforts that have been made by this community over the last 3 months to support the victims and their families. It has not only helped the victims heal, but it has also helped this community heal. Southport is Strong and Southport Does Care!
We have had kids raise funds from selling lemonade to fundraisers that brought in over $100,000. There have been prayer vigils, people selling t-shirts, gooney birds and many other items sold to raise money. Bands have played while people raised funds and honored those lost and those impacted. We have had hundreds of donations come in from all over the country including people from as far away as California and Alaska. We have had donations as small as $5 and as large as $50,000 – but they all matter. The financial contributions are just a symbol of the strength of our community, and how we rally around those impacted. No person in this community goes through a crisis like this alone.
Because we are still waiting on some pictures and donations to come in, we will likely do 2-3 posts to honor those that ran fundraisers as well as companies and organizations that donated. If you donated and think we are leaving you out, just send me an email and we will be sure to include you in an upcoming post. We are not covering individual/personal donations as there are too many to cover and many wanted their donations to be anonymous. Almost 300 thank you letters and tax receipts have been emailed to all those donors that gave us their email, and those that didn’t will be mailed their thank you letters and donation tax receipts next week.
On behalf of the board of Southport Cares and our local first responders, thank you all for what you have done to support our neighbors in need. We are proud and honored to be a part of this community. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact me at [email protected]
Tom Lott – Southport Cares Founder/Chairman
Fundraisers
o All the participants of the Southport Strong Event
o Koko Cabana / Fizzy Janes
o The Mullet Bar
o Fishy Fishy Café and Edgewater Restaurant
o Tree House Customs
o Gooney Birds
o Cape Fear Radio
o The Christmas House
o Tipsy Tuna
o United Carolinas Cavalry
o Oak Island Moose Lodge 2059
o The Tiki Tavern
o Provision Company
o Wally Simpson – Future Loans/Trust Mortgage
o The Pub of Southport
o Cape Fear Poker Run Crew
o Stingray Creations
o Jeb Hardison
o Residents of the Lakes at Pine Forest
o Salt and Sparrow Village Shoppes Cottage B
o Cape Fear Cruisers Car Club
o Irwin Drive Neighbors
o River Sea Plantation Cares Club
o Haleigh Moore fundraiser
o Cape Fear Fitness
o Bridgewater Wines
o Heart of Brunswick Foundation
o Ocean Crest Pier / Seahorse Bar / OCP
o Bombschells House of Glamour
o Jeanne Herrmann Fundraiser
o Allison Fox Fundraiser
o Katie Lewis
Companies/Organizations That Donated
o VFW Oak Island Post 10226
o Southport Rotary Club
o Up Your Arts
o Farmers Insurance
o Brunswick Partnership for Housing
o The Clubs at St James
o Trinity United Methodist Church
o Sysko Corporation
o Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehab Center
o Lexipol
o Gilbert Foodservice
o Bug N A Rug Exterminators
o State Employees Credit Union
o Dots on Howe
o Flavas
o Hoffman Eco Works
