Photo: (Getty)
After the tragic events in Boston yesterday, it's understandable if you're feeling overwhelmed or confused. It's easy to forget how truly wonderful people are in the wake of such terror. In it's wake, we'd like to share five touching moments of people supporting the Boston community after the explosions.
+ Runners Kept Going to the Hospital
Reports of Marathon Runners that crossed finish line and continued to run to Mass General Hospital to give blood to victims #PrayforBoston
— NBC Sports Network (@NBCSN) April 15, 2013
After the initial explosions, some runners followed the ambulances on to Massachusetts General Hospital to donate blood. Some of the runners were actually doctors and other medical personnel who immediately ran to work to help those injured by the blasts. We can't imagine how exhausted they must have been after running 26.2 miles, but by immediately moving to help the injured their actions showed how awesome people truly are.
+ Businesses Stepped Up
open wifi, place to charge cell, or just don't want to be alone, food and drinks,- pay only if you can #bostonhelp
— El Pelon Taqueria (@ElPelonTaqueria) April 15, 2013
my coworkers+staff deserve alot of credit, not one blinked when ask, not one when home when they could, those not working came in
— El Pelon Taqueria (@ElPelonTaqueria) April 16, 2013
Almost 24,000 people started the Boston Marathon and many more people were there to support the runners. Businesses in the immediate area stepped up after the blasts to support the community. Some restaurants invited patrons to only pay what they could, while others opened up their Wi-Fi connections so people could get in touch with loved ones. Southwest Airlines even offered to rebook flights at no cost to the participants, while Google created a Person Finder page to help people around the country and in Boston find their loved ones.
+ Uplifting Images Go Viral
Photo: (Facebook.com/BostonMagazine)
There are now hundreds, if not thousands, of images from the race and the aftermath of the explosions -- while some are tragic, many are uplifting. There are people comforting strangers, first responders helping to get people to safety, and signs of support from all over the world. Last night, a note from the people of New York to Boston was projected onto Brooklyn Academy of Music. The message is clear, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. NY (heart) Boston." More of our favorite photos below.
Photo: (Twitter user @illuminator9
Photo: (Twitter user @prayforboston)
Photo: (Chicago Tribune)
+ Patton Oswalt
Comedian Patton Oswalt is normally all about the laughs, but after yesterday's events he posted a poignant note on Facebook that is now going viral. He talks about how disheartened he felt about the attacks on September 11th, but continues on to say:
"But I was wrong. I don't know what's going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem…But here's what I DO know. If it's one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out…So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, 'The good outnumber you, and we always will."
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
+ Boston Community Offers Up Their Beds
Some Harvard Medicine students rushed in to work after the blasts, saying "when we heard we all came in." Later in the day, someone set up a Google document that let residents in the Boston and surrounding areas lists ways they could help runners. Some people offered their beds and couches, while others offered rides to the airport or money for taxi fares. If you need a reminder of how generous the community is, just look over the "Other info" section in the far right column.
As Half of Us notes, it's so easy to be overcome with sadness, anger or anxiety after acts of violence, but we can also choose to turn them into positive action. If you want to get involved to help the people of Boston, take action below. You can also find ways to get involved here.
Boston, stay strong. We love you, and we've got your back.
