The shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday brought back memories of previous gun violence crimes and the difficulties that victims’ families face after.

Gun violence is becoming a household name in the United States and the victims need support. 

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have already been 213 mass shootings in America this year. Six hundred and twenty-two mass shootings were reported in 2021, compared to 610 in 2020.

The Texas mass shooting happened less than two weeks after a shooter killed ten people at Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

Also Read| Who was Salvador Rolando Ramos, the 18-year-old Texas elementary school shooter?

Here are ways you can help the gun violence victims – 

1. Financial support

Financial help to the victims’ relatives, those wounded, and the communities where the tragedy occurred is often the first line of support in the aftermath of mass shootings.

Crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe are great for ensuring that money gets to the families who have been directly affected. GoFundMe has verified fundraisers to support families affected by the Uvalde tragedy.

The hub is home to two dependable mass shooting fundraisers, one managed by the Austin-based Los Verdes Supporter Group and the other by VictimsFirst, a network of relatives of the previous mass shooting victims. 

Also Read| Where is Uvalde, Texas? 

2. Blood Donation 

Aside from financial support, blood donation is another option to aid. People from all walks of life can donate blood, it does not in any shape or form harm the donor’s health.

Find local blood donation centres or drives, which can assist hospitals in preparing for large-scale blood emergencies. 

To help the families of those killed in the Texas shooting massacre, residents of San Antonio are being encouraged by University Health and the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center to head out and donate in support of Uvalde, which is only an hour outside of the city limits. The ConnectLife blood and organ donor network in Buffalo is always seeking new donors. Blood can be donated to South Texas Blood and Tissue in Texas as well.

Also Read| 15 people killed in Texas elementary school shooting, 18-year-old shooter dead

3. Research

Simply being aware of the circumstances that contribute to mass shootings can empower you to help. Many non-profit organisations are working to prevent another Uvalde, Buffalo, Parkland, or Sandy Hook shooting. Determine the issues that are most important to you and discover ways to support them.

Also Read| Robb Elementary School shooting: What we know so far 

4. Join the Wear Orange Day 2022 campaign

Gun Violence Awareness Day will be held on June 3, 2022. An opportunity for everyone to show support. 

Wear Orange Weekend will be held on June 4-5, with virtual and in-person events taking place across the country. From the south side of Chicago to community activists in Queens, people will wear orange and demand change.