UVALDE, Texas — Some people are donating money, others are jumping in their vehicles, feeling the need to comfort the community of Uvalde after the shooting.
Crosses now stand in the heart of Uvalde. Each cross represents people that will be part of this community forever.
Bonnie Fear’s organization, Lutheran Church Charities, brought the crosses to Uvalde’s town square.
Each cross carries a name of a victim with a marker so people can leave a message.
"It could be for them to help express their grief, in the end, it ends up with the family our hope is our family can then get that heart and read the heartfelt messages for their loved one,” Fear says.
“I will always love you, my beautiful granddaughter,” a message reads on the sign of Laya Salazar, from her grandmother.
It is impossible to know what can heal a wound so permanent and deep.
“If they need to, they need any prayers or they need our support silently we just listen and be with them," Fear says.
Albert Villegas is one who felt he had to come to help those impacted by the shooting know they are not alone.
“Faith, you got to have faith when things are going good, and things are going bad," says Villegas.
Villegas and his wife drove from five hours away, through the night, to be in Uvalde to be with those who are suffering. They set up a prayer station.
"People are going to come by and need prayer, say a little prayer, Maybe they need a hug. Comfort them, you know?" Villegas says.
Fear's charity also brought Golden retrievers from Texas and Oklahoma as comfort dogs.
What it will take to heal this town is a question without a clear answer but those who have come are hoping they be part of the journey to find it.
