On October 1, 2017, 59 people were killed and 520 were wounded in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. A single gunman opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Route 91 Harvest country music festival below.
A week earlier, Hurricane Maria, the fifth largest storm to ever hit the United States, decimated the island of Puerto Rico – destroying homes, flooding streets, breaking power grids and leaving the large majority of citizens without water or electricity. As of today, 90% of the island is without power and 50% is still without water.
And just a few weeks before, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma left parts of Texas, Florida and Georgia in shambles.
If you’re feeling helpless in the wake of such horror, devastation and sadness, I can assure you that you’re not. While you can certainly write a check to any or all of the organizations below, you can also give blood, donate clothing, food and necessary incidentals and call your elected officials to put pressure on them to enact stricter gun control measures.
LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Victim’s Fund – Since we don’t have universal healthcare in this country, Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak set up this GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the healthcare cost of those injured in the massacre. Sisolak pitched in the first $10,000 contribution kick off the campaign.
Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada – They are providing ongoing mental and emotional support for victims and their families.
American Red Cross – Officials in Las Vegas say there has been an overwhelming turnout for blood donations (some waited six hours in line to donate) and as of right now, they don’t need more blood, but the American Red Cross is still taking donations to help victims. You can also check back in with them to see if and when they might need more blood.
Unfortunately, writing a check or donating blood aren’t going to change our frightening gun situation in this country. If you want to make a greater impact, you need to call and write your elected officials constantly and put pressure on them until stricter gun control measures are in place. Here’s an easy guide to contacting your elected officials about gun control and another one here.
PUERTO RICO & HURRICANE AID
United for Puerto Rico – Set up by Puerto Rico’s First Lady, Beatriz Roselló, Unidos por Puerto Rico is connecting the private sector to those in need. Donations can be made a variety of ways, including via PayPal.
ConPRmetidos & Foundation for Puerto Rico – A Partnership between two organizations supporting Puerto Rico to finance needs assessment efforts, long-term structural repairs to the most vulnerable communities and fostering new and off-the-grid energy solutions for the flattened island.
Hurricane Maria Community Relief & Recovery Fund – One hundred percent of monies raised will be used to support immediate relief, recovery and equitable rebuilding in Puerto Rico for the communities hit hardest by the storm.
Global Giving Hurricane Relief Fund – This fund will provide relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water and medicine, in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild. All donations to this fund exclusively support hurricane relief and recovery efforts in the Caribbean.
The Salvation Army – They are serving disaster survivors of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through food, water, cleaning supplies and shelter.
Don’t wait. Take action. Please do something.
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