Becoming a Helper

We don't have anything profound to share; no comforting words to ease the fear and pain brought on by the tragedy in Newtown last week.  As parents with young children we're reeling over what happened and our hearts ache for the families who lost their loved ones.  We were searching for something, anything we could do for the families suffering when we came across this:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. "To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world."  - Fred Rogers

While no amount of thoughtful notes, kind gestures or financial donations will be able to heal the hearts of families in Newtown, we found some solace in becoming a "helper."  One of many "helpers" that make it abundantly clear that there's a legion of caring people - near and far - holding their hands and gathering around them in support during this time. 

If you too have been looking for what you could do, we've compiled a few ways to help below. Please feel free to share more ideas and thoughts in the comments.  

Donate to one of the funds set up to help the Sandy Hook Families

-- My Sandy Hook Family Fund

Set up by the parents of children who survived and other locals, this fund will help with funerals, as well as ongoing living expenses such as food, mortgage payments, daycare, insurance and fuel until they are back on solid ground.

-- Newtown Memorial Fund 

A new fund founded by Brian Mauriello, who describes himself as a long-term Newtown resident and a parent, to pay for short-term expenses as well as a memorial and a multi-generational foundation fund for the Newtown, Connecticut, community. He is seeking board members.

-- Sandy Hook School Support Fund  
c/o Newtown Savings Bank 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470
This fund was set up by United Way of Western Connecticut and the Newtown Savings Bank to provide support services to the affected families and community. Among other efforts, it will support day and night walk-in hours at the Newtown Youth and Family Services Counseling Center

-- The Newtown Rotary Sandy Hook School Fund 
PO Box 263, Newtown, CT 06470
Dedicated to supporting the immediate and long-term needs of those in the Newtown community who were affected by the Sandy Hook School shooting.

Send a card or flowers 
The school address has been widely circulated over social media and in the news, however keep in mind there has been no official release from the school that they have the staff necessary to process the cards. The address for the elementary school in case you decide to send a card there:

Sandy Hook Elementary School
12 Dickenson Drive
Sandy Hook, CT 06482

Another option is to send cards and notes to the local funeral homes who have staff available to handle the letters of support that are delivered for the individual families. 

Do good in their name
Support a cause in one of the families or child's name or vow to do random acts of kindness in honor of each of the children. 

With hugs and kind thoughts to all of your families,
Mary & Kate

photo credit: Douglas Brown via photopin cc