Two Morganton, N.C., churches and RIP Medical Debt have combined to relieve more than $2.23 million worth of debt, the Morganton News Herald reported Aug. 1.
Calvary Lutheran Church and Grace Episcopal Church collected $13,492, which was bought by pennies on the dollar by RIP Medical Debt, according to the report. The churches surpassed their goal of relieving $1 million worth of debt.
"We were surprised by joy with this debt forgiveness campaign," the Rev. Paul Carlson, pastor of Calvary Lutheran, told the News Herald. "We were told that for every dollar we raised it would equal about $100 on average, and we were blown away that it was closer to $190 for every dollar that was given."
The donations from the churches helped relieve medical debt for 2,421 families in North Carolina, according to the report.