Southport Cares shared an update on donations and monetary distrubutions, more than one month after three people were killed and eight people were injured in a mass shooting at a local bar.

The nonprofit received $242,237.26 in donations since the Sept. 27 mass shooting at American Fish Company. It has sent out $232,595.82 in checks to 34 families, wounded patrons and employees who were affected.

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Southport Cares was created by a group of first responders 5 years ago. 

"We created a 501(c)(3) to help those people that we saw in need when we went out on those calls," said Tom Lott, the founder and chairman of Southport Cares. "We helped them financially, but I think it's even more than that. I think it also shows them that they're not alone as they go through a crisis. That us as first responders and the community are there with them."

Following the shooting in September, the nonprofit knew it needed to spring into action.

"It fit into what our mission is, which is to help people when they're down and to unite with the community to support them," said Lott.

Southport Cares became the main distributor of funds. Local bars, restaurants and business owners held fundraisers with the profits going to the organization.

One hundred percent of the proceeds go towards the victims, with Southport Cares' board members covering expenses like bank and PayPal fees. They also made sure all donations were delivered with care.

"We're used to handing the victims a check in person," Lott said. "We've got a lot of victims in this case that were located around the country, and so we've taken steps to have the checks delivered with dignity and respect."

Lott said Southport Cares has gotten help from law enforcement agencies across the country to deliver payments.

"The financial support obviously matters for people that were out of work, had medical bills," Lott said. "But make no mistake about it that the victims have been watching closely. They've felt all the support, the prayers, the efforts, and that's meant a lot to them and will help them in their healing process."

Southport Cares plans to close out some fundraisers and deliver remaining checks in the next few weeks, and will share a final report on their Mass Shooting Victims Fund toward the end of November.

The organization continues to collect donations toward its original mission of helping people in need in the Southport community.