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Acts of kindness amidst the terror: How strangers helped each other

The explosions at Boston Marathon prompted people in their droves to step forward and offer help to the wounded and shocked yesterday.

As the blasts of yesterday's explosions echoed through the city, onlookers were astonished by the number of people who ran towards, rather than away from, the scene of the attacks, looking to help in whatever way they could.

The city of Boston showed an astonishing 9/11 spirit of its own as men and women tore the shirts off their backs to use as tourniquets on injured people they had never met.



Passersby ran forwards to help the injured in the aftermath of yesterday's bomb blasts, showing Boston's admirable 9/11 spirit

Restaurants opened their doors to all those needing sustenance, a place to sit, or the company of others.

And residents opened their houses to help others needing home comfort in the aftermath of yesterday's bomb blasts as a sense of fellowship resonated through the wounded city.

By Monday night, the Twitter hashtag #Bostonhelp was trending as Bostonians offered aid in the form of orange juice, a place to stay, or even Bible readings.

As the city reeled from the tragedy that killed at least three and wounded at least 100, those who live and work there seemed to steady themselves by reaching out to embrace those hurting even more.

'Very comfortable queen-sized bed available in Charlestown for anyone who needs it. Dinner, bed and breakfast - we'll drive to you #bostonhelp' tweeted @vinoincognito yesterday evening.

'Runner 7026 John Harley from The UK - we cheered you on with your lovely wife. If you need anything at all, let us know #bostonhelp', tweeted Elizabeth DiRusso.




Twitter was deluged with offers of kindness from strangers, and the hashtag #bostonhelp was soon trending





The city of Boston showed it had a 9/11 spirit of its own in in the aftermath of yesterday's blasts

'People are good. We met a woman who let us come into her home and is giving us drinks,' tweeted Ali Hatfield, a Kansas City, Missouri runner who was in town for the race.

And restaurant El Pelon Taqueria tweeted: 'Anyone wanting to get out of the back bay come over, plenty of tables and calm here and don't worry you don't have to buy a thing.

'Open wifi, place to charge cell, or just don't want to be alone, food and drinks - pay only if you can #bostonhelp.'

'Two Lutheran pastors walking Commonwealth, Bibles in hand. For those who need comfort, they said,' tweeted Chelsea Conaboy, a Boston Globe blogger.



It wasn't just individuals: Businesses were also quick to step forward and offer aid to those affected




Everywhere in Boston were strangers stepping in to offer assistance to those wounded or shocked

A Google Docs form was set up to allow Boston residents to open their homes to marathon runners from outside the area who had no place to stay in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Pictures of heroism and humanity flooded Twitter, from police officers carrying injured young children to the residents who left their warm homes to greet runners stranded by the emergency and offer them comfort.

'Local Boston resident giving @AliHatfield and us orange juice and offering a bathroom to use,' tweeted Ramsey Mohsen, a Kansas City, Missouri, Web strategist.

In a tweet hours later, Mohsen revealed how shaken he was by the blast: 'Only now has it hit me. Holding back tears best I can.'

Meanwhile Google set up the Google Person Finder site where survivors can sign up to let concerned friends know they're ok, and those looking for people can search for information.



A man sobs as he is reunited with a Boston Marathon runner after yesterday's explosions wracked the city

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency urged people to sign up to the Google site to help worried friends and relatives get in touch.


For those looking to help, there are some guidelines on how to do it.

If you are still trying to reach a loved one in the city, you are advised to text rather than call, as it uses less bandwidth on a very busy network. Or you could call the Boston's Mayor Hotline for more information on 617-635-4500.

For local residents offering a room to people in the city, Google Docs has a document where you can sign up.



Hundreds of people and businesses took to Twitter to offer help as the smoke cleared from the city

Those in need of a room in Boston should look at this Google Doc which lists those offering.

If you were in Boston yesterday you should update your social media pages if you have not already done so, as this is where worried people look first. You can also register yourself on the Red Cross's Safe and Well page.

Meanwhile anyone with information that could help police in their investigation into the bombs has been asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Authorities in Boston say they already have enough blood - the Red Cross tweeted 'there's enough blood on the shelves to meet demand'.

The 9/11 spirit was summed up last night by comedian Patton Oswalt, who took to the internet to write about the inherent goodness of humanity.



Graffiti on a Boston pavement summed up the reaction of the vast majority of the city devastated by terrorism

Last night his thoughts had gone viral as they struck a chord with those devastated by the bomb blasts.

Oswalt wrote on his Facebook page: 'I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was "Well, I've had it with humanity."

'But I was wrong.'

He goes on to say: '..the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak.

'This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We'd have eaten ourselves alive long ago.

'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."'




Patton Oswalt took to his Facebook page to commend the people 'running TOWARDS the destruction to help out'

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