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As families and community members in Uwaldi process their grief after the worst school shootings in Texas history, they are dealing with medical, funeral and legal costs. Here’s how you can help.
Resources for families
Belong is a division of SJRC Texas, a non-profit organization that cares for children and trauma families, putting together a list of resources, including financial, medical, mental health and grief support services for those affected by the Uvalde shooting.
Governor Greg Abbott has announced more resources. Any Uwalde residents can access free mental health services from state and private providers.
“We want you to listen to them,” Abbott said at a press conference. “The way you can ask them – be it today, tomorrow, next month or next year – is this number: 888-690-0799.”
The helpline will be answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Counseling for students will be available through the summer school and at the Benson Center, the governor’s office said.
Families of shooting victims can get help to cover immediate needs, travel, housing and health care costs through the Family Help Center located at the Uvalde County Fairplex. Abbott said updates on the potential relocation of the center would be provided. State agencies help victims receive benefits such as workers’ compensation, child care and unemployment.
Here Is a list Of all the assistance available from the state.
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Credit:
Lauren Witte / Texas Tribune
Monetary donations
The Crowdfunding Platform GoFundMe sets the page with fundraisers reviewed by family members and nonprofit organizations of shooting victims.
Created by the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Bank account at First State Bank of Uwalde There, people can send money to the victims of the shootings and their families. Money can be sent electronically via Zelle or by email to 200 E. Nopal St., Uvalde, Texas 78801 using email [email protected] Make checks payable to the “Rob School Memorial Fund”.
The City of Uvalde has set up another fund where people can mail checks to the “Rob School Memorial Fund” to PO Box 799, Uvalde, Texas 78802.
Abbott announced that people can make donations to help victims of the shootings through the OneStar Foundation’s website. Those donations will be held at the First State Bank of Uwalde and will be donated to the Rob School Memorial Fund.
University Health San Antonio has set up the Uvalde Victim Relief Fund for victims and their families on its website. To make a donation to this fund, people need to choose the “SP-Uvalde Victims Relief Fund” when making a one-time or recurring donation.
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County launched United with the Uvalde Fund to support the immediate, long-term and emerging needs of victims ’families and the community. You can make a donation here and learn more.
The Texas Hill Country Community Foundation, a Kerrville nonprofit that provides scholarships and grants to other area nonprofits in general, establishes an emergency fund called Uvalde Strong. In the next few weeks and months, the foundation will support survivors’ families, other affected families and the Uvalde nonprofit, said CEO Austin Dixon. He said he expects the fund will remain open for several months.
The Foundation is helping to raise resources and distribute grants in partnership with VictimsFirst, the San Antonio Area Foundation and the National Compassionate Fund. Dixon said he and other foundation leaders are meeting with community leaders and affected families in Uwalde to identify needs. People can make a donation through the Community Foundation’s website. Through partnerships with retailers Kroger and Macy’s, people can make donations at Kroger stores in Texas and Macy’s stores nationwide.
The United Latin American Citizens League is raising funds for families of survivors and victims of the Uvalde shootings, saying 100% of one-time or recurring donations go to those affected by the shooting.
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Bobby Kramer, 84, and Charlie Garvan, 52, are sitting next to each other while donating blood at the Herbie Ham Activity Center in Uvalde. Community members gathered to donate blood the next day after the shooting at Rob Elementary School.
Credit:
Sergio Flores for the Texas Tribune
Blood donation
South Texas Blood and Tissue Center and University Health have asked for a donation to help survivors of the San Antonio shooting. People can schedule appointments with the center or with university health.
The center’s senior communications specialist, Roger Ruiz, said people need to continue to donate blood beyond the disaster, as centers across the country have suffered from a blood shortage for nearly two years. Ruiz said blood drives were hampered by the epidemic and donations were reduced in the summer.
“Just because we’ve seen 600 donors doesn’t mean we have a seven-day blood supply on the shelves,” Ruiz said. “You may remember what we are sending with Uvalde. We still have to place our orders in all of our hospitals because there are still patients in our area who need transfusions, so it is very important to have enough blood supply.”
The center is asking people who have made an appointment to call another 210-757-9509 to schedule another donor. Ruiz said the center is taking walk-ins at its San Antonio headquarters, 6211 W. Interstate Highway 10, San Antonio, TX 78201.
University Health San Antonio always takes a blood donation because blood has a limited shelf life, said Shelly Koffler, senior public relations manager at University Health San Antonio. Ruiz and Koffler said people can help by donating to their local blood centers. You can see your nearest blood centers through the Blood Centers of America website.
Funeral services
Local funeral parlors are offering free funeral services to the families of those killed in the shootings.
Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary said in a Facebook post that its professionals were helping law enforcement at Rob Elementary School and that families would not be charged for services.
Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home also said it is helping families affected by the Uwalde shooting at no cost.
Legal Services
The San Antonio Legal Services Association has called on volunteer lawyers to offer free legal services to victims’ families and survivors.
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