The outpouring of compassion through the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund in support of the families who lost loved ones at the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion on April 5 has been enormous. The fund has exceeded $750,000.00

The manager of the fund, the Reverend Dennis Sparks, representing the West Virginia Council of Churches, announced today that the fund will close as of July 31, 2010. Any contributions received after that date will be placed with the West Virginia Council of Churches Miners Support Fund that will be available for mining families in financial crisis or in times of special needs.

Checks in equal amounts will be distributed to the 31 family recipients in early August including the two miners who were hospitalized after the explosion. The Council of Churches expresses thanks to all persons, businesses, firms, organizations and churches that have made contributions to the fund. A special thank you is extended to Governor Joe Manchin and his staff, the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia and to all those who conducted benefits and fund raising activities in support of the fund. A thank you list of identified contributors will be made available at the close of the fund.