TEMPLE (November 5, 2009)—A long line formed quickly late Thursday afternoon at the Scott & White Blood Center as word of the deadly shooting at Fort Hood spread.

Soldiers were among those who lined up to donate.

Scott & White issued an urgent appeal for blood donations at around mid-afternoon Thursday.

Thursday evening, officials said that anyone not now at the hospital should wait until tomorrow to donate.

The American Red Cross plans blood drives in several locations Friday:

Killeen American Red Cross Chapter
208 W Ave A
Killeen, TX 76541
Friday November 6, 2010 = 9am – 5pm

Waco American Red Cross Chapter
4224 Cobbs Drive
Waco, TX 76710
Friday November 6, 2010 = 8am-8pm
Saturday November 7, 2010 = 9am-3pm

Bryan American Red Cross Chapter
4201A Texas Ave South
Bryan, TX 77802
Friday November 6, 2010 = 8am-8pm
Saturday November 7, 2010 = 9am-3pm

The Red Cross was also encouraging people to register themselves or loved ones with whom they’ve been in contact at Fort Hood on the Red Cross’ Safe & Well Web site.

The Carter Blood Care Center at New Road and West Waco Drive was open until 9 p.m. Thursday and a spokeswoman said a long line of donors had formed.

The center reported a 600 percent increase in donations Thursday and expects a high turnout again on Friday.

The center supplies blood to 16 hospitals in the region including Darnall Army Medical Center.

Carter appealed specifically for donors with O-negative blood, because the type can be used universally.

Memorial Baptist Church in Killeen opened its doors Thursday night.

Pastor Ken Cavey said he knew there would be a lot of spiritual questions, with people asking "Why?" "Where is God in all that?"

About 60 people who attended also prayed for the wounded, the dead, their families and the medical community treating the soldiers.

"When something like this happens you're dealing with a significant breach of trust as well as a significant breach of your own fear," Cavey said.

"'I survived this, what about the next time?'

Heritage Care Hospice's chaplain and bereavement counselors in Harker Heights, are available for free assistance to community members affected by the shooting.

The Cove Church of the Nazarene in Copperas Cove scheduled a prayer service at 7 p.m. Thursday at 964 W. Hwy 190.

Common Ground Ministry at 1600 E. Rancier Ave. in Killeen opened its sanctuary to residents Thursday evening for residents who wish to pray or need support in the wake of the shooting.

The Lifeway Fellowship Church at 4000 Elm St. in Killeen will open at 9 a.m. Friday.

Checks may be sent to:

Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter
Association of the U.S. Army
PO Box 10700
Killeen,TX 76547-0700
(Write in memo line: Community response to 11/5)

A toll-free 24-hour grief compassion helpline was set up, staffed by counselors with advanced degrees.

The toll free number is 1-800-854-8080

Crawford-Bowers Funeral Homes in Killeen, Copperas Cove and Temple sponsored the helpline.

“We are all part of a large but a very close knit community and we as a community will be there to support one another in the upcoming days following this tragedy” said Angie McFarland, Director of Public Relations for the American Red Cross.

Dorothy Pace, a licensed psychologist and Disaster Mental Health specialist volunteer for the American Red Cross, meanwhile, offered some advice to help those affected by the violence Thursday to cope over both the short and long term.

“Some of us are able to cope by using tools that we have learned to cope individually such as getting plenty of rest, exercising, eating regularly and ensuring that our daily routines are kept,” she said.

“Others may become hyper vigilant, meaning that they are more susceptible to tuning in strange or unusual noises in a manner that they did not before. At that point, that person should step back and assess the magnitude of how it affects them,” she said.

She says that children affected by such disasters tend to cope well, but will follow the emotions of those surrounding them.

“It is important to remain calm and work through the feelings on an individual basis and even enlisting the help of a professional if needed,” she said.

A Facebook page dedicated to "Prayers for Fort Hood" received hundreds of posts supporting family members of those affected by the mass shooting on the post.

One person wrote: "My heavy heart is with my fellow soldiers and their families this is our community and you are our families."

The site quickly gained more than 1,500 members.

Families turned to the social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to seek news about family members after post was locked down on Thursday.

The Fort Hood massacre, in which 12 people were killed and 31 others wounded, is believed to be the worst mass shooting in history at a U.S. military base.

It’s not the worst in the area, though.

On Oct. 16, 1991, 23 people were fatally shot by George Hennard, who drove his pickup through a plate-glass window of a Luby's Cafeteria.

Hennard used his last bullet to kill himself as police closed in.