How to help victims of the Orlando shooting from near or far
For those who wish to help the survivors of the mass shooting that took place in a gay nightclub in Orlando early Sunday morning, here are a few resources.
Johnathan Dalton breaks down as he places flowers on a makeshift memorial on Monday, in memory of two of his friends who were killed during a fatal shooting at the Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla.
Chris O'Meara/AP
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a gunman entered Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., and opened fire, killing at least 50 people and wounding dozens more.
In the hours following the tragedy, members of the Orlando community flooded the local blood donation center, eager to offer some kind of help.
For those farther afield who wish to help the victims and survivors of the massacre, there are a number of resources available. Here are just a few:
To donate funds for victims and families:
Equality Florida, the state's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization, has a GoFundMe page to support the victims of the shooting.
Another GoFundMe page was set up by a variety of local Central Florida LGBT organizations, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the shooting victims and their families.
LGBT advocacy nonprofit Planting Peace has launched a CrowdRise campaign to help cover victims' medical costs and funeral costs.
CrowdRise has also launched a general relief fund in an effort to help both the victims of the Orlando shooting and those working long-term to address issues of inequality and gun safety.
To donate blood:
As of Sunday afternoon, OneBlood had reached capacity for blood donations. However, it is asking anyone interested in donating blood to make an appointment to donate in the near future, since more blood will be needed soon. You can make an appointment online or by calling 1-888-9Donate.
To care for a pet affected by the shooting:
Several organizations in Orlando are arranging for the temporary or permanent care of the pets of shooting victims and community members who will be out of the house supporting family and friends. A full list of local organizations providing pet care can be found here.
To support LGBT organizations:
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Central Florida is offering counseling and support to the local queer community in the aftermath of the shooting. You can donate to the center's efforts online, or speak to a counselor by calling 1-407-228-1446.
The New York City Anti-Violence Project is a New York-based nonprofit working to address hate-violence in the LGBTQ community. It offer a 24/7 bilingual hotline. You can donate online, or reach the hotline by calling 212-714-1141.
Another national LGBTQ nonprofit, The Trevor Project, is offering crisis support via hotline. You can donate online, or reach the hotline by calling 866-488-7386.