The shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022 devastated the country and families. 19 children and 2 adults were killed. If you still haven’t heard, an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in a 4th-grade classroom at Robb Elementary School. The shooting was the deadliest mass elementary-school shooting since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. And while we can protest, write letters to the federal government and local governments to implement gun laws, all good of course, we can also channel our frustration and sadness into immediate support via donations to the ones directly affected.

Fortunately, there are a lot of organizations, both private and public, that have thought the same thing. Meaning, finding one to support should not be time consuming. In fact, GoFundMe developed verified fundraisers for people that were affected by the Robb Elementary School shooting. Donations go towards funeral costs, family needs, and anything else needed. “100 percent of what is collected goes directly to the victim base so the victims’ families and those wounded/injured are protected from fraud and exploitation,” GoFundMe states in a recent press release.

Secondly, there is a Robb Elementary memorial fund that you can donate to, organized by the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District. You can donate at any First State Bank branch through Zelle to [email protected], or via check to Robb School Memorial Fund, 200 E. Nopal Street, Uvalde, TZ, 78801. The community is also looking for blood donations and legal assistance for the victims’ families.

Organizations and people in surrounding Texas neighborhoods (Dallas, Austin, and others) have also contributed to donations and set up their own. And as 90% of the students at Robb Elementary School identify as Hispanics, The League of United Latin American Citizens created a fund for survivors and victims, with 100% of the contributions going directly to the families.

As you can imagine, the situation is extremely difficult in Uvalde, Texas. No parent imagines dropping their child off to school and them encountering harm and danger. Equally, no small child should go to school in fear of their life. And as educators who are trained to teach children, they now are worried about fighting or interacting with active shooters.

It is not right and something that the country needs to correct with gun violence laws and better response to active shooters. If you have any way to help, it would be encouraged to do so. In the meantime, let’s keep fighting for justice and safety for children and adults everywhere.

Some families on GoFundMe have still not reached their goal. Click here to donate.

Photo via KXAN