As residents of Uvalde, Texas, continue to grapple with how the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history has happened in their small town, they are mourning the loss of 19 children and two beloved teachers. People from around the world are trying to figure out the best ways to support both the victims’ families and the community with money, resources, and blood donations. We’ve rounded up ways to immediately assist below.
The University Health System, which is the largest transfuser of blood in the San Antonio area, tweeted that you can book appointments here, asking anyone who can donate blood to do so immediately. “Our donor room has availability the rest of the week.”
If you are looking for ways to help, please consider donating blood. Your donation can help ensure we have supplies immediately available for the victims of this tragic shooting.
— University Health (@UnivHealthSA) May 24, 2022
Our donor room has availability the rest of the week. Please schedule online: https://t.co/0F2lKDqYzO
On its website, the Robb Elementary School announced a Robb Elementary Memorial Fund for families of the school. To donate, checks can be made payable to the “Robb School Memorial Fund” and mailed to 200 E Nopal St. Uvalde, TX 78801. If you prefer an online donation, you can use Zelle at robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com.
GoFundMe created an online hub where people can find verified fundraisers supporting victims and their families. The organization will continue to update the hub as accounts are confirmed. One such account was organized by VictimsFirst, a group of survivors and families affected by previous mass shootings. The group started the fund “to make sure that 100% of what is collected goes DIRECTLY to the victim base so the victims’ families and those wounded/injured are protected from fraud and exploitation.”
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has created a fund for victims and survivors with 100% of contributions going to families. “LULAC is called to assist and support the community of Uvalde, TX,” the organization said on its website. “Ninety percent of the students of Robb Elementary School identify as Hispanics and more than four-fifths are economically disadvantaged, this community NEEDS our collective prayers, help, and support.”
The San Antonio Legal Services Association is asking for any volunteer attorneys who are licensed to practice in the state of Texas (according to a Facebook post) to contact them immediately. “Volunteer NOW to assist Uvalde Shooting Victims and Families with Unmet Legal Needs,” it wrote. “SALSA will respond with pro bono assistance as called upon to do so by community partners and civil leaders over the coming weeks.”
As with any tragedy of this magnitude, mental health support is critical. The nonprofit organization Girls Inc. has also shared information for parents and caregivers on how to help young kids and teens process their emotions following the horrific headlines.
Finally, until these senseless acts cease to exist, we must continue to call our senators and implore them to pass HR8, legislation that would secure more stringent background checks on anyone buying a gun. You can also donate to nonprofits that provide advocacy work for gun reform like Everytown for Gun Safety and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
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