An outpouring of prayers and donations is headed to help victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
A gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on concert goers at the Route 91 Harvest festival where country singer Jason Aldean was performing.
Donations to help victims are being accepted by the National Compassion Fund , which was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime in partnership with victims and relatives from past mass casualty crimes, including Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech. To donate, go to www.nationalcompassionfund.org.
Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations , the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, called on Muslims to donate blood and offer prayers to help the victims of Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas.
The situation is a little different from a natural disaster where people can readily find collection points for water, food and other basic necessities donated to help hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and Houston.
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For now, the call for blood donations is mostly aimed at Nevada residents.
Still, there are other ways you can help:
Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak has started a GoFundMe campaign to help provide relief and financial support for victims and their families. So far, the campaign has raised more than half of its $2 million goal. Donate at www.gofundme.com.
The American Red Cross is already on the ground helping establish a family assistance center that will offer mental health and spiritual care to relatives and victims. Over the coming days, the Red Cross will continue to coordinate closely with local officials and community partners to determine how it can best support the Las Vegas community and those who have been harmed, according to a statement.
Since the shooting, the Red Cross has provided more than 250 additional blood products to local hospitals to help those injured.
“Last night’s tragedy illustrates that it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency,” according to a statement. “Red Cross blood donations will become part of our national blood inventory, helping to ensure we are prepared for any blood needs that arise wherever blood is needed.
“We know that many people want to help,” the statement continued. “Eligible individuals can make an appointment to give blood in the coming weeks and months by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS to help ensure a sufficient blood supply.”
Currently, the American Red Cross of Georgia says it has what it needs to support this event. “While the Red Cross is not accepting financial donations designated specifically for this event, we always need the public to help support the nearly 64,000 other disasters we respond to every year around the country. Donations for Red Cross Disaster Relief are used to help people and communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters big and small.”
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