- GoFundMe has created a page for those who want to donate and help the victims and their families.
- Donations can also be made to a memorial fund created at the First State Bank of Uvalde.
- Volunteer attorneys are also needed to assist shooting victims and their families with legal services.
The community of Uvalde, Texas is in mourning after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school on Tuesday, according to authorities.
Armed with a rifle, an 18-year-old man shot his grandmother before driving to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and subduing a school officer, according to Sgt. Erick Estrada of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the shooter entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde around noon Central Time and opened fire. The shooter was later killed by police who responded to the scene, Abbott said.
The Uvalde shooting is the deadliest at an elementary school in the United States since the 2012 attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It also comes just 10 days after a gunman killed 10 people in a mass shooting in Buffalo.
Uvalde is a city of about 16,000 inhabitants about 130 kilometers west of San Antonio.
Community funeral homes have offered to help victims’ families bury their loved ones at no cost, including Hillcrest Memorial Funeral HomeCopy checked and Rushing-Estes-Knowles MortuaryCopy checked.
“We have fought together as a community and will come together as one now in our time of need,” wrote Hillcrest Memorial Funeral HomeCopy checked in a Facebook post. “Hillcrest will be helping families at NO COST for the funerals of everyone involved in today’s horrific events. Prayer for our amazing little town.”
This is how people from all over the country can help the Uvalde community from a distance.
money donation
The crowdfunding website GoFundMe has created a a central donation page helping families with verified donation options.
One of the funds, started by the California-based nonprofit Victims First, had raised more than $640,000 Wednesday at noon.
A Robb Elementary Memorial Fund account has been opened at First State Bank of Uvalde for Robb Elementary families as well, according to a tweet from the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.
Those who wish to donate can do so at any branch. Checks can also be mailed to 200 E Nopal St., Zip Code 78801. Donors can also send money through Zelle to [email protected].
Avoid scams
Anita Busch, president of VictimsFirst, said the best thing people can do right now is donate money and make sure it gets into the right hands. She also highlighted some of the group’s best practices after a mass loss like this.
According to the non-profit organization, it is best
- Organize outreach activities among local businesses and community organizations, national businesses, and the general public to raise funds and ensure that 100% goes directly to victims to help pay for post-crime expenses.
- Monitor funds to ensure that all donations raised on behalf of victims go directly to the victim base.
- Comply with the “no notoriety” policy in the interest of public safety.
- Connect victims/survivors to the appropriate services and agencies they need (eg, Office of Victim Assistance for burial costs) through referral.
- Partner with organizations to crack down on online bullying and conspiracy theories against victims/survivors.
- Work with local, state and federal governments to defend the rights of victims.
Donate blood
If you are in the area, emergency blood drives have been set up to support the victims of the shooting.
South Texas Blood and Tissue is hosting an emergency blood drive at the Herby Ham Activity Center on Wednesday from 9 am to 2 pm CT.
Roger Ruiz, a spokesman for the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, told USA TODAY that blood donations are always welcome because there is currently a national crisis and blood shortage.
Even if donors aren’t local to Uvalde, he said, they can still help their communities by adding to their increasingly scarce blood supply.
“Blood never takes a vacation,” he said. “People always need our help.”
You can make an appointment here and walk-ins are also welcome.
University Health encourages the community to consider donating blood.
“Your donation can help ensure we have supplies immediately available for the victims of this tragic shooting,” said University Health. in a tweet.
You can make an appointment to donate blood here.
The American Red Cross said in a statement that they have all the resources they need but are working with the Department of Public Safety, the City of Uvalde and Uvalde County to help family members.
“We will continue to coordinate with local officials and community partners to determine how we can best support the Uvalde community in the days and weeks ahead,” the statement said. “Although we don’t typically serve hospitals in this area of Texas, the American Red Cross stands ready to provide blood and blood products as needed in response to this tragedy.”
Offer to be a lawyer
The San Antonio Legal Services Association requests volunteer attorneys.
Volunteers will help victims of the Uvalde shooting and their families with legal services.
Texas licensed attorneys can email their availability through June and their practice area to [email protected].
The shooting is the deadliest in Texas history and the third deadliest in modern US history.
Follow Sarah Ann Dueñas on Twitter @sarahcantweet.
Also for this storyandn Contributors Wyatte Grantham-Philips, John Bacon, Celina Tebor, Saleen Martin, USA TODAY.
Translationeithern: Javier Arce
www.usatoday.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism