How To Help After Yesterday's Boston Marathon Bombing

I live and work in Boston, Massachusetts. So the horrible event on Monday has hit close to home. I live in the same area of the city as the 8-year-old victim and his family. For me, it feels like 9-11 and the Challenger disaster all rolled up together.

A few people have written to me asking how they can help and if I know of a victim's relief fun. So, I have compiled below a list of the options I have found. I am sure that more options will become available during the coming days:

• Technology Underwriting Greater Good (TUGG) online victim relief fund. At 12:45 pm this afternoon, donations had already reached $35,000 of its $50,000 goal
• A fund has been set up to assist the Richard family, whose 8-year-old-son was killed and who had other family members injured. You can make a donation at Meetinghouse Bank (2250 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester) or at the Vargas & Vargas Insurance agency (1133 Washington Street, Dorchester). Checks and cash accepted. Make checks or money orders payable to: The Richard Family Fund.
• There are several Richard Family Fund. The Boston Business Journal reported a fund by Salem Five Bank.
• The One Fund Boston 2013
• Celese and Sydney Recovery fund
• The NFL New England Patriots Charitable Foundation (in the donation form message field, specify "Boston Marathon')
• Greg Hill Foundation
• Dine out on April 17 to donate to help Boston Marathon bombing victims
• Dustin Mann's InvestorForce online victim relief fund
• April 21 - 27 is National Volunteer Week. To learn more and find a project to volunteer for, visit the Massachusetts Service Alliance website
• According to news reports, the Red Cross currently has plenty of blood supplies. So, no need to give blood now. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to learn more and to schedule a future appointment to give blood.
• Donors to the Salvation Army can specify a location (e.g., city, state, and Zip Code) to direct their donations to.
• The State Of Massachusetts blog maintains a list of resources and contact information
• If you are looking for somebody that was in or near the explosions, there are several resources: the Red Cross Safe And Well listings, and the Google People Finder.
• Anyone with information about the incident can call the Boston Crime Tips hotline (1-800-494-TIPS), or the FBI (1-800-CALL-FBI and select prompt #3). Families of victims can call the Boston Mayor's hotline (617-635-4500).

Of course, do your homework and research a charity or fund before giving. The Better Business Bureau provides safety and giving tips to protect yourself from scammers. The Red Cross offers tips to recover emotionally after a tragedy. BTW, I donated at the above TUGG link, and I feel better.

Know of a victim's recovery or relief fund? Share it below, please.

Comments

[George]

Another fund to donate to:

The Richard Family Fund
http://richardfamilyfund.org/

To learn more about the Richard family, follow this link:
http://richardfamilyboston.tumblr.com/post/50015339258/may-9-2013-statement-from-the-richard-family

George
Editor
http://ivebeenmugged.typepad.com