Real, Sensible Ways To Help Las Vegas | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Real, Sensible Ways To Help Las Vegas

How you can make a difference to the victims of the Las Vegas Shooting

33
Real, Sensible Ways To Help Las Vegas
Pexels

On October 1st, there was a mass shooting during the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas late Sunday night. Killing more than 50 and injuring more than 400 people, this event is marked as one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. According to the police, there were about 22,000 people present at the concert.

With these events of destruction, whether it be through natural causes or human nature that we cannot grasp to understand, it feels as though we are powerless. We can’t stop these things from happening, we can’t protect the ones we love, we can’t help.

But we can.

We can provide help to those who need it most and we can make a difference. Even the slightest of words or actions can make an impact in someone else’s life. It’s the reason I began writing - every voice matters, every word written, every action we make matters to at least one other person in this world.

Our actions matter - and here are some ways to prove it.

Getting Information

ABC News shares multiple ways you can help. You can call 1-866-535-5654 to get information about finding loved ones and family members or go to the Family Reunification Center (located in Metro Headquarters at 400 South MLK Boulevard in Building B).

Donating Blood

For local residents of the Las Vegas area, there is a clinic taking blood donations for injured victims. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department shared the location of the Labor-Health & Welfare Clinic at 7135 West Sahara.

CBS News provides a website, a 'Blood Bank Locator' that can direct you to the nearest blood donation center. All you have to do is provide a city, state, and zip code and it gives you a list of addresses to follow.

As stated through CBS News, "According to the Red Cross, donors must be at least 17 years old to donate blood. Some states do allow 16-year-olds to donate if they have parental consent. All donors are required to weigh more than 110 pounds, regardless of age."

Donating Money

For money donations, Steve Sisolak, Clark County commission chair from Las Vegas, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to assist the victims of the shooting. Below is the statement made by Sisolak on the GoFundMe link,

"I'm Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas. We are raising funds to assist the victims of the tragic Las Vegas shooting. Funds will be used to provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting."

According to the CBS News article, "The site has already raised more than $3.7 million." The number has changed drastically since the release of the article, on October 3rd, with the current amount of money raised reaching at least $8.5 million. The GoFundMe page states that the fundraiser amount has been raised by 66.7 thousand people in only 2 days. With more than 235 thousand shares on Facebook alone, Sisolak's fundraiser is spreading across multiple platforms.

The National Compassion Fund will send "100% of proceeds directly to the victims," according to the National Center for Victims of Crime. The National Center for Victims of Crime accepts donations through the website or text message. If you text Vegas to 20222, you will be able to donate $10 to the National Compassion Fund. You can donate HERE or by sending a check (payable to the “National Compassion Fund”), noting Las Vegas in the memo field, and mailing it to the address below:

National Center for Victims of Crime

ATTN: National Compassion Fund Las Vegas

2000 M Street, NW, Suite 480

Washington, DC 20036

Another outlet for donations is the Music City Cares Fund. Established by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, 100% of the donations will be going to Las Vegas nonprofits to help with the immediate and long-term needs of victims in the shooting. The foundation released a public statement about the fundraiser, which is stated below.

"Country music is the heart of Music City," said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. "We are reaching out to country music fans who fell victim to this evil. They must know we care and care deeply. Our prayers are with them."

Why You Should Help

We can make a difference in the world, in the smallest of gestures or the paths we follow. By simply acknowledging the lives lost during this tragedy, to not forget, is a start. We matter in this world, don't ever forget that.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

224578
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

91642
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

82829
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments