The money is being raised for medical expenses for Deacon Ashmore, who is 12 years old.
Clete Bontrager organized the fundraiser. In a story in the Detroit Free Press he wrote, “Many of you know Deacon Ashmore as a great young man! Deacon proved that Monday evening. He had surgery Tuesday morning to repair his calf. Deacon will have medical bills which may include physical therapy.”
More than 350 people have already donated to the fundraiser in support of Deacon with the top donation being $10,000 from an anonymous donor. Multiple anonymous donations were for $10, $20 and $50.
One of those donors was Cynthia Dooley. She wrote, “This young man is simply heroic. It’s an honor to contribute to this fund.” She gave $200.
Peter Ashmore, Deacon’s father told the Free Press, “We are so overwhelmed!!! We are so grateful that so many perfect strangers have rallied to support Deacon!”
Bontrager told Newsweek he is Deacon’s pastor at the Restore Church of Detroit and has known him for years after he was born in Ethiopia and adapted to his family in the U.S. He said his family has been members of the church for years.
Deacon was outside playing with his siblings and a few other children as they rode bikes when two canines got loose and charged them. Deacon held the dogs off as his younger siblings, two sisters ages 9 and 7 and a brother who is 5, ran inside their home.