Before Justin Moore headlined the inaugural #MSDCountryStrong concert benefiting Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s MSD Fund—a charity honoring the heroes, victims and survivors of gun violence in schools—the country star donated $30,000 to the fund on behalf of his family and crew.
In February 2018, a lone gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., killing 17 students and staff members and injuring 17 others.
Prior to his set on Sept. 21, Justin revealed the donation in a heartfelt speech as victims and their families joined him onstage.
“I’m of the belief that when God allows you to have a platform like I have, you’re supposed to use it for good,” said Justin. “I’m a father of four. I send each and every one of them to school every day and drop them off. Usually it’s late, but I drop them off each and everyday. My first prayer is that they’ll come home safe that afternoon. I can’t even fathom what these families up here—and maybe some of you guys—have had to deal with and the difficulty this has caused. So sorry for that. I’m not going to pretend to know what that feels like. Just know that from me and my camp that we’ll be praying for your continued healing, and we hope and pray that one day, at some point, you’ll see your loved ones again.”
Before singing his 2011 No. 1 hit, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” Justin dedicated the track to servicemen and women, security guards, nurses, police officers and teachers who have lost their lives.
“I’ve got to be honest, I’ve done a lot of charity events over the years benefiting so many different things,” said Justin. “I’ll tell you what. This one has really touched me . . . having the opportunity here tonight to meet wives and dads and moms, brothers, sisters and sons and daughters. It really is touching, especially me being a father. It affects me.”
