How To Help the Victims and Families in Uvalde
Following Tuesday's shooting in Uvalde, Texas where an 18-year-old gunman assailed Robb Elementary School, a community is in mourning. The attack, a tragedy of remarkable proportions, left 19 students and two teachers dead; the shooter was killed by police. The events mark the most deadly school shooting since the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre which saw 20 students and six adults lose their lives.
With victims still in the hospital, families still waiting to identify loved ones, and legal and funeral costs mounting, there has been an outpouring of support for the families—and a call to action for government officials online.
Whether you're located in Uvalde or elsewhere, there are ways you can help.
Donate Blood
If you are currently on the ground in Uvalde or in nearby Texas, the community is calling for blood donations. University Health, San Antonio is requesting additional supplies in order to ensure that victims have the right materials for their care.
"Your donation can help ensure we have supplies immediately available for the victims of this tragic shooting," they said.
Blood donations will be crucial in the recovery on victims in the days and weeks ahead. You can sign up with University Health here. Alternatively, you can donate blood through South Texas Blood & Tissue, here. South Texas Blood & Tissue will also be hosting an emergency blood drive on Wednesday, May 25 at Herby Ham Activity Center from 9 am to 2 pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
Donate to Verified Fundraisers
In response to the tragedy, GoFundMe has established a hub where individuals can access verified fundraisers for those affected by the Robb Elementary School shooting. You can find a link to that here. Included is a fundraiser by Victims First, a network of survivors and families of the deceased from previous mass shootings including Columbine, Newtown (Sandy Hook Elementary School), the Aurora theater shooting and many others.
"The funds collected will go to the families in cash payments with no strings attached, thereby fulfilling the full intent of the donors (you)," they wrote, "We do this because our own families have been re-victimized in the past by non-profits that collect funds for themselves after a mass shooting saying they will “support” the families, which is usually the legal verbiage used when donations do not go directly to victims/survivors themselves."
Provide Legal Services
If you are able to, volunteer your legal services. The San Antonio Legal Services Association is seeking attorneys who qualify to practice Texas law to provide services for the community.
"Volunteer NOW to assist Uvalde Shooting Victims and Families with Unmet Legal Needs," wrote in a Facebook post. "SALSA will respond with pro bono assistance as called upon to do so by community partners and civil leaders over the coming weeks."
They are calling for licensed attorneys to send through their area of practice availability through to June 2022.
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