TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin GoFundMe account set up for Officer Benjamin

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help support Officer Benjamin's family. This brave young man gave his life to help make St Maarten a safer place for us.
Please share and donate!
http://www.gofundme.com/bh2frtbs

Thanks very much for posting, Barbara.

you are welcome, Carol.
donations total over $1500 already

Glad you posted this Barbara because I just went to do it. I hope anyone who can give even a small amount will do so. This officer was loved by everyone even the bad boys because he treated everyone with respect. He worked hard everyday to protect tourists & residents from crime. I did get some details of how this happened & the officer was quickly responding to the report of a robbery but what he did not know was the robbery was still happening & he walked right into it. He has a small child & death benefits amount to almost nothing here so anything will help.

Officer Benjamin is the first police officer killed here in the line of duty & I pray he is the last....

Sharon, thank you for providing some details. I kept asking myself why a police officer would walk into an active robbery, and you've answered that.

I like to do my due diligence, and this is definitely a legitimate fund for Officer Benji? I always like to make sure the family will truly benefit.
The location indicates Miami, and that it was created by:
Jeffrey Sochrin

Edit.....never mind, I realize this is the radio DJ....took me a while to recall that.

yes it is very legitimate. Jeff Sochrin is the radio DJ and he will make sure the funds get to the family

Yes, Sharon, he walked right into it. My granddaughter witnessed the entire thing.
and every little bit will help for sure.
Office Benjamin was so well liked and respected and he lost his life trying to keep us all safe

Thank you Barbara.

I'm behind this one but I find it so sad that just as in Columbia SC, it takes something this tragic for all factions to come together in a common cause. My heart goes out to all involved.

Thank you Barbara for letting us know how we can help.

Thank you for posting this. Officer Benjamin will be remembered for his devotion to the people of St. Maarten.

good morning
The GoFundMe account for Officer Benjamin is now over $5000.00 <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

update: almost $6000 raised!

The Summit Hotel has just donated $500 to Officer Benjamin fund. The support is overwhelming. The fund is now at $6690 and counting.

How wonderful! I do hope they get at least the $25,000..

I'm sure there are many business owners who have already done so but how wonderful it would be if more island businesses stepped up and donated in their business names. Kudos to all those who have donated as individuals, but some of the larger island business moguls have to let the police, who are on the job for everyone's benefit, know their labor and their lives are worth supporting. The family of this man needs to know the business community has its back just as it knows the residents and tourists alike are supporting them. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

agreed, pat!

Moving on up...near $7K now....let's help the family.

Thank you Barbara, for the link.

I'm trying to access the site, but it's not working for me. Anyone else having that issue? It says the campaign URL I entered can't be found.

Suddenly having the same problem. Has anyone received a current status as to the totals to this point?

FB post:
Island 92

TO ALL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE OFFICER GAMALI BENJAMIN CAMPAIGN -

US $8,880 has been raised so far. We are experiencing issues with GOFUNDME and we are currently working to resolve the problem as soon as possible. As soon as the problem is resolved we will notify everyone.

Once again, here are the expanded details of the campaign. Please share this information as appropriate. GOFUNDME has been notified and we are waiting for them to resolve the issue. GO FUNDME requires that all communication be done by email and you can not speak with them on the phone. We are working to get this resolved as soon as possible.

Sint Maarten Police Officer Gamali Benjamin lost his life in the line of duty on August 5, 2015. We have begun this campaign to help support the family of the late Officer Benjamin.

All proceeds will be given directly to the family as we remember an officer and gentleman, Gamali Benjamin through the Gamali Benjamin Foundation established by the Police Department on St. Maarten. Funds will be used for the purposes of caring for the educational and welfare needs of the children of officers who have lost their lives in active service, including the son of the late Officer Gamali Benjamin.

The campaign has been organized conjunction with Island 92 Radio on St. Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean through its US operation.

Barbara--OK, not sure I understand all of that and why gofundme is not working, but please do post when there is an update.

update FROM Jeff Sochrin Island 92:

FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THE GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN FOR GAMALI BENJAMIN

DR. SOC received this email from Paul Ellinger of the St. Maarten Police Department. We are working to get the GOFUNDME Campaign reinstated immediately. Rest assured all donations made will be distributed as intended to the GAMALI BENJAMIN FOUNDATION

Please see attached the document from the Notary on St. Maarten regarding the establishment of the Foundation. In addition, please see the email SOC received from GOFUNDME regarding the suspension of the campaign. Once again, we are working to get this resolved immediately.

===
Good Morning

As Promised here is the sign document from the notary’s office to show that the foundation we are setting up is legit. I can assure you we, the police department are closely monitoring the situation very closely.

All monies and or donations collected here and abroad will be channeled through our foundation to show transparency. Our colleague has fallen in the line of duty and we want to do something good not only for him but I the future to be able to help all persons eligible in the uniform services.

Thanks for taking the imitative to do this for our fallen colleague. I am really proud you have our interest at heart. Do have a great day further. See attachment for details….

Sunny regards

Paul Ellinger
====

We are working to get this resolved IMMEDIATELY. Thank you for your patience.