4 Ways to Help Victims and Families of the Uvalde Shooting
Nineteen children and two adults were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday. It is the deadliest school shooting in the state’s history, and the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Authorities and hospital officials have said that others were injured, but that number has not yet been confirmed. The 18-year-old shooter, who is believed to have acted alone, was reportedly killed.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has signed into law many measures to expand gun rights, called the massacre a “horrific tragedy that cannot be tolerated.” During a press conference, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Hal Harrell held back tears while asking for “prayers to get through this.”
Members of the community are also in need of things like blood, legal volunteers, and monetary relief. Two Uvalde funeral homes, Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home and Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary, have already said on Facebook that they will not charge families of victims for any funeral services. Here are other ways you can help.
Give Blood
For people who live in Texas, South Texas Blood and Tissue, which provided blood in the wake of the shooting, is holding an emergency drive on Wednesday at Herby Ham Activity Center from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. South Texas Blood and Tissue also has available appointments over Memorial Day weekend, which can be scheduled online.
San Antonio’s University Health hospital, which is currently treating four shooting victims, is also asking for blood donations. University Health’s donor room has availability the rest of the week and appointments can be scheduled online.
Donate to a Relief Fund
The Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country, a nonprofit just northwest of San Antonio, started a relief fund for Uvalde victims and their families, as well as others affected by the shooting.
Visit GoFundMe
GoFundMe has established a centralized hub for those who want to donate to the people affected by the Uvalde shooting. This is a safe way to give money to verified pages, including VictimsFirst, which is “dedicated to helping victims of mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and other mass casualty crimes.”
Volunteer
According to the San Antonio Legal Services Association, lawyers licensed in Texas are needed to assist victims and families with legal needs, including insurance and family law issues, over the coming weeks. To volunteer, reach out to uvalderesponse@sa-lsa.org.
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