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Texas church shooting: How to help Sutherland Springs victims, families

By Fiza Pirani, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,Rachel Rice, Austin American-Statesman

Investigators work at the scene of a deadly shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.

By Fiza Pirani, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution,Rachel Rice, Austin American-Statesman

At least 26 people were killed Sunday when a gunman opened fire in a rural Texas church, according to officials.

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The victims ranged in age from 18 months to 77 years. At least 20 other First Baptist Church parishioners were injured in the Sutherland Springs, Texas, shooting. Ten were in critical condition as of Monday afternoon.

As authorities begin to publicly identify victims of the shooting, family members and community leaders are beginning to raise funds for the victims and the families of the victims.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate money to the FBC Sutherland Springs Shooting GoFundMe account, which is raising money for the church victims’ medical, funeral and related costs.

2. Donate money through the Guidestar-certified fund, Hardest Hit Family Relief Fund. Donations are being accepted via the Sutherland Springs Shooting Fund GoFundMe and on the Hardest Hit Family Relief Fund website.

>> RELATED: Trump says Texas church shooting result of 'mental health problem,' not guns

3. Donate money to the Holcombe Family’s fund on GoFundMe account. The Holcombe family lost eight family members in the Texas church shooting Sunday. Family friend Cristopher Foster set up a GoFundMe account for Sarah Slavin Holcombe, who lost her mother, Karla Plain Holcombe; her father, Bryan Holcombe; sister-in-law, Crystal Holcombe, who was pregnant; and five nieces and nephews, according to the fundraising page.

“It’s going to take a lot of funds to cover eight funerals, lost wages, perhaps child/adult counseling, and who knows what else,” Foster said in a Facebook post. “No matter what number the Go Fund Me reaches, it will never be enough. But everything helps.”

4. Donate supplies

Follow the nearby River Oaks Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Facebook. Pastor Paul Buford is updating lists of what the community needs. As of Monday afternoon, there are no immediate supply needs.

5. Donate blood to local hospitals

Time.com reported a list from Connally Memoral Medical Center -- where eight victims were originally sent -- of where and when to donate blood in the area:

 

  • 1 p.m. CST to 6 p.m. CST Monday, Nov. 6 at Connally Memorial Medical Center
  • Sunday, Nov. 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Floresville, Texas
  • Sunday, Nov. 12 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Elmendorf, Texas
  • 9 a.m. CST to 1 p.m. CST Tuesday, Nov. 21 at Connally Memorial Medical Center
>> RELATED: Bystander, neighbor chase gunman who killed 26 at Texas church

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is also calling for O-positive or O-negative blood donors to donate at any of their seven Texas locations.

6. Donate blood to the American Red Cross

You can also donate to the American Red Cross, which is helping out in Sutherland Springs, Texas, following the shooting.

7. Donate money to the San Antonio Medical Center and University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, which are hospitals where many injured victims were transported and are currently being treated.

8. Sutherland Springs Royal Court

Locally, Sutherland Springs Royal Court has set up a tent to accept donations for the family members of the victims of Sunday's shooting at the intersection of 4th Street and 13th Street, near the Community Center, not far from First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.

>> RELATED: What people are saying about the Sutherland Springs church shooting

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