Ways to Help Sandy Hook Elementary School and the Newtown, CT Community

So many of us are left to try to make sense of a tragedy that can never be made sense of. We are left to console, support and love our families, friends and neighbors through this unthinkable pain. So many want to help, to do something that will make a difference. Within just one week three million dollars was raised for the Newtown Community.  A 5K race is being organized, fundraisers by local businesses and support forums are all listed here as well as two long standing non-profit Newtown organizations that are ready to receive your help.

5K Run for the Children of Sandy Hook
This event is tentatively scheduled for March 23rd and the Hartford Marathon Association has offered to organize it. Talk is that it will take place in Newton.

Send your words of support and comfort to the Sandy Hook families, to aid them in their healing process.

Participate in the 26 Acts of Kindness Campaign.

The Newtown Volunteer Task Force has been established to make it easier for people to call with offers of help to the community of Newtown.  Call 855.364.6600.

The Sandy Hook School PTA has a website with suggestions on ways that you can help their students.

Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award: All children write, draw, or tell your story in any way about your own act of kindness!

CONTEST RULES:

•    Anyone the age of 18 and under can participate
•     Nominations are accepted. Entries preferred from ages 18 and under, but not restricted to.
•     Entries NOT restricted to Newtown Children
•     Mail or Email your entry by 2/21/2013
•     See website for more details

Notes of Encouragement to St. Rose of Lima Parish From Dr. Ned Hallowell: Father Luke Suarez is a priest at St. Rose of Lima parish, a Catholic church just down the road from Sandy Hook Elementary. He and Monsignor Weiss, arrived at the school within moments of the shooting, and have been caring for the community ever since. Eight of the children killed were members of this church. After a weekend of endless media requests, notifications and vigils with
heartbroken families, and little sleep, he now has two wakes and two funerals every day, until the fourth Sunday of Advent. Father Luke has not even been ordained two years. In addition, due to a bomb threat, this past Sunday's mass had to be evacuated. He has said over and over again that without the prayer support he is receiving he could not keep going. Please consider sending one of your family's Christmas cards to the rectory, with a few words of love and encouragement to:

Father Luke Suarez
46 Church Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470

Please feel free to share the address with your family, friends, and community. An outpouring of love will sustain these good priests through their impossible ministry.

If you're looking for a place to donate to the victims of Sandy Hook, consider Newtown Parent Connection, a long-time grassroots organization usually focused on substance abuse in the community which is turning its attention to those directly affected by the shootings.

Catherine Hubbard, the gorgeous little red head who lost her life in Newtown, wanted to open an animal shelter when she grew up. The family has requested that anyone wishing to express condolences donate to the local Newtown animal shelter. You can donate online (scroll down to the Memorial Donation button on the donation page) via the link or if you would rather mail a donation, the address is:

The Animal Center, Inc.
PO Box 475
Newtown, CT 06470

Newtown Youth & Family Services, Inc., will be open for emergency counseling for families, community members or staff involved in the Sandy Hook Elementary school tragedy. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are welcome.

Newtown Youth and Family Services is located at 15 Berkshire Rd. Sandy Hook, CT 06482. Their nonprofit agency combines clinical services and positive youth development programs to provide a continuum of care to residents of the greater Newtown area. NYFS is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth service bureau. For more than 30 years, they have offered specialized programs and services to individuals of all ages.

Donations to support Sandy Hook Elementary School victims can be made to Caroline's Gift at NYFS. Donations can also be sent directly to Newtown Youth and Family Services via Caroline's Gift, 15 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook CT 06482.

Further donations of goods and services should be made through CT Info Line at 211 or 1-800-203-1234. CT Info Line is coordinating with the American Red Cross.

Author, Ann Leary, wrote a terrific post with links to many other fundraisers, some going to specific families so that they can cover funeral expenses, travel for burials, etc..

Feel free to leave a comment with any other fundraisers, support and information that should be shared. Our sister site, Mommy Poppins Boston wrote this great post on Responding to the Sandy Hook Tragedy.  Oh, and if you are ready to support gun control please sign this petition.

Updated 1/19/13.