LEWISTON, Maine — It's been one month of grief and healing as the Lewiston community is learning to live with a new reality after the shootings claimed 18 lives too soon and changed the lives of several victims still recovering.
Countless people have found ways to support the victims, financially and emotionally, and there are new efforts in this season of giving.
"It's mind-boggling to see what people are willing to do to help," Ben Dyer, a survivor, said.
Dyer was at Schemengees Bar and Grille playing cornhole when a gunman walked in the night of Oct. 25. Dyer spent 19 days in the hospital after being shot 4-5 times, he said.
"The biggest thing is I want to support those that need it. Those we lost need to be remembered, but we got to remember there's some of us who are still fighting," Dyer said. "We've lived through this, and we're going to live through this for the rest of our lives. We're not walking out with simple injuries. These are life-changing events for some of us."
He won't be able to work for 4-6 months, but he said the generosity of people has allowed him to focus on his recovery.
"The money that they've given me has made it so that I know I'm not going to lose my house. I'm not going to lose my vehicle. My kids are still going to be able to have a Christmas. I'm going to be able to put food on the table," he said. "I've got that money from what they did so that I know that eventually I'll be whole. I've been able to be whole."
Dyer said he lost fingers on his right hand, and he no longer has a right bicep or tricep. The goal is to get to 70% use in his right arm and hand, but it will never be weight-bearing.
"It's important that people know that we're out there. We're fighting and we're not giving up," he said. "I'm not going to let this one day ruin my life. It's changed my life forever, but it's not ruining it."
Dyer said the night of the shooting, he knew something wasn't right the moment he heard a second round of "pop pop."
"We all hit the deck. We all laid down and like 'This is real. Something's happening.' We didn't know what was happening, but we knew something was happening," he said.
Schemengees Bar and Grille are doing an annual Christmas fundraiser, which they usually donate to a local charity. This year, it will donate the proceeds and items to the victims and their families.
If you are interested in donating to the Lewiston community, here is a centralized GoFundMe hub with multiple fundraisers supporting Lewiston victims and survivors.