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Chaplains from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to assist in Las Vegas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are on their way to Las Vegas to provide emotional and spiritual support to the victims of Sunday night’s deadly mass shooting and their families.

The men and women respond to sites of terrorism all over the world.

Churches in Las Vegas were calling the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for help before officials even woke up Monday morning.

Five chaplains are on their way, six more will arrive Tuesday, and even more are on standby.

All the chaplains are trained in crisis intervention. Many also have a background in law enforcement.

They will be offering emotional and spiritual support to people grieving.

They will also be helping churches in the Las Vegas area, as the churches reach out to the community.

The chaplains' message will be one of hope and to remind mourners that God hasn't forgotten them.

“Much of it is listening, but it's also our hearts crying with them as they agonize over this traumatic incident and their loss,” Jack Munday said.

The chaplains deploying from all over country are affiliated with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Countless others are standing in line, some for even up to four hours, to donate blood to help victims physically.

"In each situation, we find heartache and suffering beyond what we can imagine,” Munday said.

The Red Cross said it provided more than 250 additional blood products to local hospitals to help those injured. Volunteer blood donors are needed each and every day to help save lives.

“It doesn't get harder because it's the same message,” Munday said. “God still loves them and he can bring them hope and comfort in the midst of their crisis."

The Red Cross sent this statement:

“The thoughts and deepest sympathies of the entire American Red Cross family are with all those affected by Sunday night's tragic shooting in Las Vegas. The Red Cross is on the ground working in close coordination with emergency officials to provide comfort and support now.”

“The Red Cross is helping to establish a family assistance center by providing mental health and spiritual care to loved ones struggling to come to terms with this tragedy. Over the coming days, the Red Cross will continue to coordinate closely with local officials and community partners to determine how we can best support the Las Vegas community and the loved ones of those who have been harmed.”

“Following the shooting, the Red Cross provided more than 250 additional blood products to local hospitals to help those injured. We stand ready to provide blood and blood products as needed in response to this tragedy.”

“Volunteer blood donors are needed each and every day to help save lives. Last night's tragedy illustrates that it's the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency. Red Cross blood donations will become part of our national blood inventory, helping to ensure we are prepared for any blood needs that arise wherever blood is needed.”

“With the help of generous donors who stocked the shelves and those who have helped to replenish our inventory today, the Red Cross has an adequate blood supply to respond to this tragedy in Las Vegas. Eligible individuals can make an appointment to give blood and platelets, particularly needed, in the coming weeks and months by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. With the outpouring of support from across the country, it is important people schedule an appointment at this time.”

“The Red Cross is grateful for all donors who generously give blood and platelets throughout the country.”

“This tragedy shows that emergencies can happen in any community at any time. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support this event both financially and with supplies. While the Red Cross is not accepting financial donations designated specifically for this event, we always need the public to help support the nearly 64,000 other disasters we respond to every year around the country. Donations for Red Cross Disaster Relief are used to help people and communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org for more information.”

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