Charitable foundation launches fundraiser honoring fallen deacon, security officer in Texas church shooting

SMITHFIELD, N.C. - Jan. 14, 2020 - PRLog -- In the moments after gunman Keith Thomas Kinnunen began shooting during a service at West Freeway Church in Fort Worth suburb of White Settlement, Texas late in the 2019 Christmas season, parishioners, including an armed deacon, Jack Wilson, leapt to action to save lives. They, along with other parishioners, pulled out guns recently permitted in churches by concealed carry laws, stopping the gunman in his tracks.

The incident was not without casualties: Heroes Richard White, a parish security team member, and Tony Wallace, a church deacon, were gunned down, sacrificing their lives trying to protect their flock.

Now, American lifestyle brand Shield Republic hopes to honor these fallen heroes through one of their "Hold the Line" apparel fundraisers. Through the new "Texas Strong" fundraiser,  Shield Republic Charities will sell special apparel recognizing the sacrifice of White and Wallace. All apparel, including unisex t-shirts, hoodies, long-sleeved shirts, and ladies' tank tops, was designed, printed, and shipped in the USA, with 100 percent of net profits from the fundraiser to be donated to the fallen heroes' families.

"When we heard about the West Freeway Church shooting and the way the parishioners protected themselves, we were compelled to organize a Hold the Line fundraiser right away," said Charlie Romero, spokesperson for Shield Republic. "What an honor to be able to recognize the sacrifice of these amazing people, immortalizing their incredible life-saving bravery and quick action."

View the "Texas Strong" Hold the Line fundraiser and learn more at https://patriot.shieldrepublic.com/active-texas-strong-fundraiser-in-honor-of-tony-wallace-and-rich-white-of-freeway-church-of-christ/.

Read Shield Republic's blog post "'He's a hero!' Good Guy With Gun Saves Churchgoers" by Josh Whitworth: https://patriot.shieldrepublic.com/good-guy-with-gun-saves-lives/.

To date, Shield Republic's Hold the Line fundraisers have raised more than $60,000 in donations to fallen officers' families and units. For more information about the Shield Republic Charities, contact Aaron Pate at aaron@shieldrepublic.com.

About Shield Republic

Established in 2016, Shield Republic is an American lifestyle brand based outside Raleigh, North Carolina. The company offers creative, fresh apparel and merchandise embodying American pride. Everything sold by Shield Republic is designed and manufactured in the United States. Shield Republic appeals to patriotic Americans passionate about personal strength, second amendment rights and military strength. Through Shield Republic Charities, the company shows appreciation to soldiers, first responders and their families.

Learn more about Shield Republic and shop the online store at https://www.shieldrepublic.com.  Read the Shield Republic lifestyle blog at https://patriot.shieldrepublic.com.