proud to say that I'm from las vegas #vegasstrong

no, this post isn't about "gun control", it's about the power of unity. vegas isn't just casinos, clubs, showgirls and gambling (although that's what it's famous for). vegas is my hometown, and I can speak on this first-hand....this is a community, a city that's much smaller than it seems. everyone knows everyone, which is why the recent mass shooting at harvest fest felt so so personal. I really just want people to see how the locals came together to support the victims and each other during such a dark time. millions and millions of dollars were raised within only a couple of days, local businesses were literally opening up their shops/restaurants and offering free food/water for anyone fleeing the scene, people w/ trucks were even loading the wounded and taking them to the hospital. The entire strip went dark, I've never seen anything like it. There was a candlelight vigil the very next day and basically every blood bank stopped taking walk-ins, that's how many people waited in line just to offer their blood. I would've donated blood myself if I wasn't pregnant. 10/01/17 will be a day that I'll never forget.

crosses for all of the victims in front of the welcome sign on LV BLVD

banners hung from my old high school