The nation is reeling after at least one gunman shot and killed five police officers and injured seven more in Dallas on Thursday during a Black Lives Matter protest. The protest arose from this week’s police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
People across the country have rallied in support of the officers and their families.
“I think I speak for every single American when I say that we are horrified,” President Obama said. “There has been a vicious, despicable and calculated attack on law enforcement. Police were doing their jobs, keeping people safe.”
Here’s how you can help.
(This is a developing list and will be updated.)
1. Support Family Members Of Police Officers Who Were Killed
Crowdfunding site Razoo has started a fundraiser to support the Dallas police victims and their families in the aftermath of Thursday’s shootings. The group is working with police organizations to determine the best ways to funnel donations directly to the victims and their family members.
The site announced that it has waived its standard 5 percent processing fee in order to give the full amount raised to the organizations.
To support the families of the officers shot and injured in Dallas, donate here.
2. Help Provide Counseling To Officers In The Wake Of The Tragedy
The Assist the Officer Foundation in Dallas provides financial support to police officers and their families when officers are facing serious injuries or life-threatening illnesses, or when cops have been killed in the line of duty. After Thursday’s shooting, the organization is accepting donations and will disburse 100 percent of funds at the donor’s request.
You can choose to give directly to the families of the slain officers, or you can give funds to the foundation’s counseling services to support Dallas police officers in the wake of the tragedy. Simply specify in the “Comments” section of the donation form where you would like your funds to go.
“We appreciate the love and support,” Randy Aguilar, staff member of the Dallas Police Association, told The Huffington Post on Friday.
To help provide counseling to officers recovering from the tragedy, donate here.
To give to the families of the slain and injured police officers, donate here or click on the widget below.
3. Donate Blood, No Matter Where You Are
In the aftermath of the Dallas shooting, the American Red Cross is asking for blood and platelet donations nationwide, according to WFAA, the Dallas-Fort Worth ABC affiliate. This comes after the Red Cross called for more blood donations earlier this week, according to CBS Dallas/Fort Worth, as the supply has fallen short of hospital needs in the Southwest region.
“Our hearts go out to all those who are affected by this tragedy,” Anita Foster, Communications Officer for the American Red Cross North Texas, told ABC. “The American Red Cross has supplied more than 225 blood products to one of the hospitals treating victims of the shooting. Yesterday’s tragedies illustrates that it is the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency.”
4. Help The Individual Families Of Slain Officers
Officer Patrick Zamarripa
A fundraiser was started on GoFundMe in honor of Officer Patrick Zamarripa, who was killed during the protests on Thursday in Dallas. He leaves behind a wife and two children, according to the page. All funds will go to his family.
“He had an ability to make a joke about anything,” the page says. “He loved his Cowboys and Rangers. He loved his country. Most of all, he loved his family.”
To give to Officer Patrick Zamarripa’s family, donate here.
Officer Michael Smith
A GoFundMe page was started in honor of Officer Michael Smith, who died in the line of duty on July 7. He was a veteran of the Dallas Police Department, and left behind his wife of 17 years, and two girls aged 14 and 10, according to the page. All funds will go to the family for funeral expenses and anything else they may need in the wake of the tragedy.
To give to Officer Michael Smith’s family, donate here.
Officer Brent Thompson
Dallas Area Rapid Transit started a GoFundMe page in honor of officer Brent Thompson, who was killed during the protests on Thursday. Thompson left behind a wife and children, according to the page. All donations will go to support Thompson’s family in the wake of their loss.
To give to Officer Brent Thompson’s family, donate here.
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