Joanna Goddard and Anton

After the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, yesterday, we want to take a day of silence on Cup of Jo.

Yesterday, a single person killed at least 17 people, including children and adults. As Jason Kottke pointed out, more than 33,000 people die from gun violence each year, and guns that can fire dozens of rounds a minute are legal.

It’s hard to know what to say after such a devastating tragedy. When I dropped Toby and Anton off at school this morning, and they scampered into their classrooms, my heart broke for the families of the victims. How would you even begin to survive the loss of your child? Sending so much love to everyone who was directly affected, and those in grief today.

And yet. Here are five ways to help, including giving blood (no matter where you live) and donating money to reputable organizations. We donated to the victims’ fund, as well as Everytown for Gun Safety to fight for common sense gun laws. Please let us know if you have other ideas of how to help.

Three articles worth reading:
The United States of Guns
How to Reduce Shootings
After Sandy Hook

“Let’s get started and save lives,” writes Nicholas Kristof. “Let’s not accept that school classrooms can turn any moment into war zones.”

Lots of love, as always. xoxo