DALLAS (AP) Dozens of families who lost loved ones during Sept. 11, the Sandy Hook Elementary school shootings and similar attacks are coming together to financially help victims of last week's shooting at Fort Hood.

The National Center for Victims of Crime tells The Associated Press that about 70 families are supporting a fund to provide no-strings-attached cash payments to people affected by similar tragedies. The idea came from the mother of a man killed in the 2012 movie theater shootings in Aurora, Colo.

The fund went live in February. Its first efforts will focus on Fort Hood, the Texas military base where a gunman killed three people April 2.

Anita Busch, who lost a cousin in the Aurora shooting, says the money will help grief-stricken parents and victims left ``riddled with bullets'' get back on their feet.