Hard to believe what happened in Paris on Friday night. My family and I spent a week in Paris, and it was my favorite place that we visited in all of Europe.

My daughter has a 'Paris Saving Fund' to travel there with a friend when she graduates ( she's only 12)

I've been finding it hard to sleep, waking up with it.

Support local organizations on the ground


French Red Cross (Croix-Rouge française)

The French Red Cross posted on its Facebook page Friday night and Saturday morning that it has mobilized 300 volunteers to bring relief to victims.

You can donate directly here (French) and here (English).


Médecins Sans Frontières


MSF, or Doctors Without Borders, was founded in Paris in 1971 and provides medical assistance internationally to populations whose life or health is threatened.

While it has not yet announced direct relief to victims, you can donate to MSF France here and find more information here.


Secours populaire française


This NGO fights against poverty and exclusion in France and throughout the world. Julien Lauprêtre, president of the organization, called for solidarity in an official statement, saying that in the aftermath of these events, great "gestures of humanity" are required.

You can donate to Secours populaire française here. You can also contact the organization here to volunteer time and skills.