RALEIGH, N.C. — A fundraiser held Saturday night to raise money for families of victims killed in a West Virginia mine explosion surpassed the goal set by organizers, raising more than $2,000.
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In all, $1,939 in cash and checks were donated throughout the fundraiser, held by the West Virginia University - RTP Alumni Chapter at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub. Contributions by the alumni chapter and the bar will take the amount raised past $2,000, according to event organizer Shannon Blosser.
Proceeds from the event will go to the
West Virginia Council of Churches
, which has set up the Sago Mine Assistance Fund to benefit families.
Thirteen miners were trapped in Sago Coal Mine when it exploded in the early morning of Jan. 2; all but one died.



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