On Tuesday, May 24, the deadliest school shooting in Texas history occurred in the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, about 85 miles west of San Antonio.
At least 19 children and two adults were killed.
>>Read: Texas elementary school shooting: What we know now
In the town of Uvalde, home to about 16,000 people, victims’ families and the community are struggling to find answers. Nonprofits, hospitals and other organizations have set up ways for people to contribute to the community.
Here is how you can help:
Nationwide:
The popular crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has set up a donation hub that lists verified fundraisers for people affected by the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
VictimsFirst, a network of survivors and relatives of mass shootings, has set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe to provide the victims’ families with direct cash payments “with no strings attached.”
Teachers:
For teachers who are struggling with the news, The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice program created a love letter to teachers in 2018 to help grieving educators, according to the Washington Post.
Parents:
Girls Inc. has tips for parents and guardians to help young people cope following a tragedy.
>>Read: How to talk to your child about a traumatic event like a school shooting
Texas residents:
The South Texas Blood and Tissue in San Antonio is supporting the shooting victims by holding an emergency blood drive on Wednesday at Herby Ham Activity Center in Uvalde from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT.
University Health in San Antonio is asking the community to donate blood.
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
According to the New York Times, San Antonio Legal Services Association is seeking attorneys who are licensed in the state of Texas to provide legal assistance to the victims and their families.
Local Attorneys - reach out to volunteer at UvaldeResponse@sa-lsa.org
Posted by San Antonio Legal Services Association on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
The First State Bank of Uvalde has created a Robb School Memorial Fund for the families affected in the community.
Robb Elementary Memorial Fund
— Uvalde CISD (@Uvalde_CISD) May 25, 2022
An account has been opened at First State Bank of Uvalde for the families of Robb Elementary. If you would like to donate, you can do so at any FSB branch. pic.twitter.com/CRW1KNTyAF
Funeral services:
In Uvalde, the Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home and the Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary said they would assist families of the shooting victims with no cost for funerals.
For over 60 years, we have supported Uvalde and beyond. Today, our resolve is stronger than ever. We are here for the...
Posted by Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary Uvalde on Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Raising awareness:
Yankees, Rays use social media to spread gun violence facts
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays used their social media accounts on May 26 at a game between the teams to spread information about how gun violence affects American life.
Both accounts then posted a link to the source of their information.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 26, 2022
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 26, 2022
Miami Heat calls for change
The NBA’s Miami Heat took a different approach to raising awareness and calling for change following the Uvalde shootings. Before Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics on May 25, the Heat held a moment of silence in memory of those who were killed -- followed by a statement urging fans to call lawmakers and demand change.
Remember to research fundraisers
As with any online donation effort, people should check to be sure the organization is legitimate. Scams invariably pop up in times of tragedy, so it is a good idea to do some research.
Nonprofit watchdog groups such as Charity Navigator, Guidestar and Charity Watch rate nonprofit organizations on their financial transparency, what is spent on fundraisers and how much goes toward helping the people the charity is supposed to benefit.
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