The mass shooting during a holiday party at Inland Regional Center on December 2 in San Bernardino, California, is the deadliest since the 2012 incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Here are some ways you can help and support victims and the San Bernardino community:
Donate blood
The nonprofit LifeStream blood bank is urging residents in the area to give blood to help shooting victims who are being treated at local hospitals. In the Inland Empire, donations can be made at LifeStream centers in Riverside, Ontario, Victorville and La Quinta, and at LifeStream mobile drives.
Donors can also give blood at Hoag Hospital, Long Beach Memorial, Saddleback Memorial, and at the American Red Cross in Woodland Hills, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, and the San Diego Blood Bank.
Supporting victims and families
The Arrowhead United Way has set up the San Bernardino United Relief Fund. Donations address the needs of those affected by the mass shooting. Donations can be made online or by texting ‘SBUNITED’ to 71777.
Crowdfunding pages have been set up to support some of the victims and their families.
Additionally, San Bernardino’s mayor, Carey Davis has set up another crowdfunding account to support all victims and their families. GoFundme has waived all fees on this particular account.
Coping with the tragedy
If you or your loved one are experiencing emotional distress from this tragic event, help is available at the Disaster Distress Helpline. Disaster Distress Helpline is a national hotline dedicated to providing year-round immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disasters.
Prayer vigils and remembrance
California Gov. Jerry Brown sent his prayers to the victims and their families. Capitol flags were lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims and their families.
Candlelight and prayer vigil were held at San Manuel Stadium and Baitul Hameed Mosque in San Bernardino. In a press release, Ahmadiyya Muslim leaders called for peace and condemned the attacks.
As more ways to help victims and their families become available, we will update this article.
