Nonprofits and charity organizations across the Aurora metro area have already putting together relief efforts for the victims of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16 theaters in the early morning hours of Friday, July 20. Sentinel writers will be compiling information and contact numbers throughout the day.
The Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance: coloradocrimevictims.org or 303-861-1160
COVA is committed to fairness and healing for crime victims, their families and communities through leadership, education, and advocacy. By operating in an inclusive and compassionate manner, COVA creates solutions and positive change.
COVA’s vision is to be recognized as a national leader in building a collaborative environment where crime victims are given the opportunity to heal and restore balance to their lives.
COVA is actively involved with providing assistance in the recent Aurora shooting developments. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and further information. Aurora PD has released phone numbers that family and friends can use if they need to inquire on the status of family and friends: 303-739-1862 or 303-739-1863.
Bonfils Blood Center: bonfils.org or 303-363-2307
According to a press release from the Bonfils Blood Center, walk-in donors are not currently being accepted. Full details follow in a press release from the center:
“Due to an overwhelming response to this morning’s shooting tragedy, Bonfils Blood Center is currently not accepting any walk-in donors as all appointments for today are booked. Bonfils does have limited appointments available tomorrow, but strongly encourages those community members wanting to donate blood to call 303.363.2300 or visit www.bonfils.org to schedule your appointment and find a donor center/mobile drive nearest you. We are particularly in need of O-, A- and platelets and ask that donors with those blood types please consider donating. Bonfils is also experiencing a high volume of calls through our donor center at this time and we ask for your cooperation and patience.
As of this time, Bonfils has met the needs of the local hospitals involved in this tragedy and is asking that donors not only donate today but make appointments in the coming days to help replenish our blood supply.
For those wanting to give back but are unable to donate you can also help by making a financial contribution to support our everyday operations including mobile blood drive programs, patient safety efforts, etc. Make a gift of any size here: www.bonfils.org/giving”
Thrive Community Recreation Center: 15528 E. Hampden Circle, Aurora
The local recreation center will hold a charity event on Sunday, July 22, for the victims of the shootings. According to the event posted on the organization’s Facebook page, “We will be having a refuge/community meeting place to share their feelings/unite in the wake of the tragedy this Sunday at the Thrive Community Rec Center from 1-5pm. All are welcome, this will be open to the public. This is a time for our community to come together as a “FAMILY”!!
We are accepting donations of any kind such as bottled water, juices, soft drinks and snacks for this community gathering. Donations can be delivered directly to the Rec Center at 15528 east Hampden circle, Aurora, co 80013, and would be appreciated before noon on Sunday. Thanks so much for your support on this!!”
Denver Open Mind Media quickly organized a T-shirt design and a fundraising campaign to benefit victims. According to a release, “DenverMind Media has been strongly affected by the violence that occurred in Aurora, Colorado during the early morning premier of the Batman Rises movie on July 20, 2012. This shooting in A-Town hit us hard. Some of us live there. Many of our friends and family do too. We had to do something. So we did. We made a shirt. And we’re going to sell this shirt, and ALL of the proceeds we raise will go to the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance,” offers DenverMind Media.
The T-shirt, which features a black ‘A’ with bat wings over a yellow heart, is on sale now at the DenverMind Media Cafe Press website. All proceeds from the sale of the T Shirt will be donated to the Colorado Organization for Victims Assistance Fund.
DenverMind Media is depending on strong social networking and word of mouth to spread about the sale of this T Shirt, and hopes to be able to raise a great deal of money to support the victims of the horrible tragedy.
T Shirts are available at:
www.cafepress.com/denvermindmediacolorado
T Shirts range in price from $15 to $25 and are available in a variety of colors and styles
Are the other theaters doing anything to help the victims? That would be good of them to do so.