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.
