Following the horrific mass shooting in Sutherland Springs Texas on Sunday that left 26 people dead and 20 injured at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, it’s natural to feel a need to take some kind of action alongside all the other complicated, grieving feelings that comes with such a senseless act of violence.
While it’s always advised to take some time to practice some self-care and unplug from the constant coverage, finding ways to quell the helpless feelings and do something positive for the affected community can be incredibly powerful and helpful as you process the event.
Here’s just a few ways you can help the Sutherland Springs victims and their families:
Donating blood.
According to My San Antonio, blood centers in the area are asking community members to donate platelets and O-negative and O-positive blood.
O-postive, O-negative blood donations urged for Sutherland Springs victims, here’s where to donate https://t.co/w1fPax1S3w via @mySA
— Maddy Skye (@MaddySkye) November 6, 2017
The sheer number of mass shootings in the United States (tallied at an average of one a day, according to the Mass Shooting Tracker) means that those able to donate blood should keep in mind the various blood centers that might need support.
Donate funds where you can.
Fundraising is almost always helpful following tragedy — especially considering the medical bills, funeral costs and other costs that fall on the victims, survivors and their families. Finding reputable, trustworthy groups that know how best to allocate funds is vital.
The HHFRF Sutherland Springs Victim Fund, run by the Hardest Hit Family Relief Fund, is collecting money through a GoFundMe campaign and their website to bring money directly to victims of the shooting and their families. Another GoFundMe campaign (verified as legitimate by GoFundMe) is the FBC Sutherland Springs Shooting; organizers say that they set up the campaign after realizing the church’s website was crashing and wanting to insure that “people who have the mind to would be able to donate quickly and easily until the church can sort out their own funding page.”
The Holcombe family, who reportedly lost eight members in the attack, also have a GoFundMe page you can donate to.
Combat fake news.
Immediately following the shooting, there was an influx of misinformation and so-called “fake news” surrounding the motive, identity and affiliation of the shooter. As Politifact noted, a fake news story alleging the shooter had ties to “Antifa” and was attempting to start a “communist revolution” spread wildly on social media during the confusing first few hours after the shooting.
The Texas shooter was NOT antifa or a democrat. Here are all the debunks we have so far: https://t.co/UslN1K23n5 pic.twitter.com/z9ATTGbp2h
— Jane Lytvynenko (@JaneLytv) November 6, 2017
In addition to being super mindful of what you share (always consider these guidelines in breaking news situations), try to go out of your way to prevent further misinformation and link friends and family members who shared the fake news with the truth.
Call your representatives.
If you’re politically-minded and take issue with the legislative response (or lackthereof) to the number of mass shootings in the United States, taking some time to reach out to your local representatives and grassroots action groups is a great way to channel that frustration, grieving energy. (And taking some time to research legislation that might be in the pipeline is always a good practice.)
Particularly in the days following an event like this, remember that your voice (and your vote) is incredibly powerful.
While it’s understandably a disheartening and difficult time following an event like Sunday’s shooting, there are almost always ways you can band together to help and support the vulnerable people who are most affected by tragedy.