1st week of crowdsourcing campaign for injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker raises $11k

Last Friday, we posted information about the crowdsourcing campaign that CB3 member Chad Marlow organized to help raise money for the family of gravely injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker Akkas Ali (pictured above).

Marlow writes in with an update.

I wanted to thank you and all your readers who have helped with the fundraising effort for Akkas Ali, the florist who was severely injured in the horrific car crash on East 4th Street and 2nd Avenue on June 19.

I am pleased to say that, at the completion of our first week of fundraising, we have raised $11,792 from exactly 200 donors. This is an amazing accomplishment, but it is only a start. We need to raise a lot more before the fundraiser ends on July 20, and the first week is typically the easiest.

Here are three ways to help First, go to www.giveforward.com/akkasali and make a donation of whatever you can afford. Second, when you make your donation, leave a little message of support for the family when prompted to do so (the family has been reading these messages and says they are a source of rare joy during these difficult times). Third, and perhaps most important, PLEASE use whatever methods you can (including email and social media) to help spread the word about this fundraising effort.

Thanks to everyone again for their kindness and generosity!

The last that Marlow heard, Ali remains in a coma. Marlow hopes to raise $100,000 total for Ali and his family.

DNAinfo reported that the driver of the car, 32-year-old Queens resident Shaun Martin, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, criminal possession of a controlled substance and vehicular assault.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Car smashes into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue; 6 reported injured (62 comments)

Campaign launched to raise money for gravely injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker