An Austin FC supporter group has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the families of the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, according to a report from Austin ABC affiliate KXAN.
More than a dozen students and two teachers at Robb lost their lives in the shooting that took place as Texans were casting their ballots in the party primaries. The alleged shooter, an 18-year-old Uvalde resident named Salvador Ramos, also died, fatally shot by law enforcement who responded to the scene.
KVUE reported that Los Verdes initiated a GoFundMe campaign with the intent of raising $100,000, but the goal has been surpassed.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this event, and we are actively working with the city council members of Uvalde on making sure these donations go directly to those families," the group wrote on the GoFundMe page, per the station. "In these challenging times, we will mourn with those affected, and as a group, we will also take action and lend support to all those involved!"
The campaign received a boost from each member of the team sharing the GoFundMe link to their Instagram stories, KVUE reported.
As of last Thursday (May 26), the station reported, Los Verdes collected more than $180,000 in donations.
Austin FC played a road match against the L.A. Galaxy on Sunday (May 29), losing 4-1 to its hosts.
Austin FOX affiliate KTBC reported that Verde and MLS's two other Texas franchises, Houston Dynamo FC and FC Dallas, along with National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL) Houston Dash, donned a remembrance patch in memory of the 19 students and two teachers who perished in the tragedy during their respective Memorial Day weekend matches.
A franchise-issued press release said that Austin FC, Houston Dynamo FC, FC Dallas and the Dash will donate to the Robb Elementary School Memorial Fund.
“Uvalde holds a special place in the heart of our Club and our ownership group,” Austin FC President Andy Loughnane said in the release. “While soccer feels small in the wake of this tragedy, we hope that by coming together with some of our fellow Texas clubs in FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash, we can honor the victims and offer some much-needed support to the community.”