How to help victims of the El Paso and Dayton mass shootings
The cities of El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, are reeling from mass shootings that have left 31 people dead. In El Paso on Saturday, a gunman opened fire at a Walmart and killed 22 people and injured 22 others. Less than a day later, nine people were killed and 27 others were injured when a gunman opened fire in a historic nightlife district in Dayton.
Many of the wounded are still recovering and the families of those who lost loved ones are remembering them in vigils and community events.
Here are some ways to help the victims.
Dayton Foundation
CBS affiliate WHIO-TV and its radio sister station have partnered with the Dayton Foundation to raise money. You can help the Dayton community by donating to the Dayton Foundation's Oregon District Tragedy Fund. WHIO-TV said the funds will be used to support the needs of those affected by the event.
Blood donation
If you happen to be in the Dayton area, donate blood at the Community Blood Center. You can even make an appointment by clicking here.
Visit bloodhero.com or call 877-258-4825 to make an appointment if you're nearby El Paso.
Charities
The American Red Cross is accepting donations online.
Public Good has launched a fundraiser benefiting Dayton and El Paso victims.
GoFundMe
There is a victims' fund setup by the Townsquare Media of El Paso, while the El Paso Community Foundation created a fund as well as the Paso del Notre Community Foundation.
There are also several GoFundMe campaigns set up for individual victims. David Johnson died shielding his wife and 9-year-old granddaughter from the gunman. "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell spoke with Johnson's daughter, Stephanie Melendez.
"My mom and my daughter wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him and what he did and I couldn't even imagine, my daughter, I almost lost her," Melendez said.
Another GoFundMe has been set up for Jessica Garcia, who was rescued by Ray Garcia, a man who raced to the scene to pull several people to safety.
In addition, there is a GoFundMe for the families of Andre and Jordan Anchondo. They were killed shielding their 2-month-old baby.
Alvaro Mena set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses for his father, Juan Velazquez. Family members told Mexican media Velazquez used his body to shield his wife, who was wounded outside the El Paso Walmart.
