Churchgoers at the Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand, Florida, went so far above and beyond the call of duty that we just have to tell you all about it. The church’s leaders set up a fundraiser with a goal of raising $48,000 to split between two non-profit organizations: One More Child, which raises money for foster homes for kids, and RIP Medical Debt, which buys out medical debt and helps pay off medical bills for people.
The churchgoers ended up raising enough money to pay off an incredible $7.2 million in medical debt that will help out 6,500 families across the state of Florida.
350 generous members of the church raised a total of $153,867.19, which will be split between the aforementioned charities. RIP Medical Debt purchases medical debt from hospitals and healthcare providers for pennies on the dollar and wipes out the debt of people across the country.
Daniel Lempert, the Director of Communications for RIP Medical Debt, said,
“For the most part, hospitals don’t have the infrastructure to pursue the debt they have on the books. More and more they’re outsourcing it. Sometimes it gets sold several times before it comes to us. We only buy debt for those who are the least likely to be able to pay.”
Because the organization buys the debt at such a huge discount, the donations go a very long way. For example, $72,000 raised by the church will end up covering $7.2 million in debt. On top of that, RIP Medical Debt does not take a cut for their services.
Dan Glenn , the senior pastor of the church, said, “I can’t even begin to imagine the impact this will have for people. I don’t know what the rest of their life might be like. But what I do know is that, in this one area of significant burden, they’re going to be able to say: ‘I’m free.’”
This is what charity looks like. This is what helping out your neighbors looks like. Amen to that.