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.
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.
The First State Bank of Uvalde has created a Robb School Memorial Fund for the families affected in the community.
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.
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.
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.
Esmeralda Bravo, 63, sheds tears while holding a photo of her granddaughter, Nevaeh, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Two family members of one of the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School comfort each other during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Family members of one of the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School embrace each other after a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Stormy Flores, 11, sits with a sign bearing the names of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, far right, prays with a man during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The vigil was held to honor the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School.
A young girl listen to a message during a prayer vigil for the Robb Elementary School shooting victims in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right, and Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco pray during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The vigil was held to honor the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at Robb Elementary School.
Esmeralda Bravo, center, holds a photo of her granddaughter, Nevaeh, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, as she is comforted by Nevaeh’s cousin, Anayeli, during a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Family members and relatives of Nevaeh Bravo, one of the Robb Elementary School shooting victims, attend a prayer vigil in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
People listen to a message during a prayer vigil for the Robb Elementary School shooting victims in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
The Archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, comforts families outside of the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Members of the community gather at the city of Uvalde Town Square for a prayer vigil in the wake of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
People react outside the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
The Archbishop of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, right, comforts families outside of the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School, in Uvalde, Texas Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
The American flag flies at half staff on the White House after President Joe Biden spoke about the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, from the White House, in Washington, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
President Joe Biden speaks to the nation about the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, from the White House, in Washington, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, as first lady Jill Biden listens.
President Joe Biden tells reporters he will speak about the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, later in the evening as he arrives at the White House, in Washington, from his trip to Asia, Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
People react outside the Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. An 18-year-old gunman opened fire at a Texas elementary school, killing multiple people.
People wait outside of the Civic Center in Uvalde, Texas, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. An 18-year-old gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School, killing multiple people.
Law enforcement personnel stand next to an armored vehicle outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel gather gear outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel, including the FBI, gather near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel, including the FBI, arrive at Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel stand outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel stand outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement personnel stand outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
A Texas State Police officer walks outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Law enforcement, and other first responders, gather outside Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.
Police walk near Robb Elementary School following a shooting, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas.