Update: The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported on Tuesday that donations are pouring in to several memorial funds set up for the families of the Sandy Hook victims. More Than $1-Million Raised for Newtown's Survivors.
It's been a very hard week for everyone. The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut on Friday took away our breath and our joy.
My emotions have been both grief and helplessness. But I also experienced a deep need to do something, anything to help.
I found a way to make a donation to help in Newtown. If you are feeling the same way, I've rounded up a few possibilities, and I'm sure there will be many more forthcoming.
Local Nonprofits and Groups
The United Way of Western Connecticut is managing the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.
Newtown Memorial Fund - Set up by Brian Mauriello, longtime resident of Newtown, this fund will help families of victims and work to create a memorial.
My Sandy Hook Family Fund - Organized by parents, friends and community members in Newtown to support the 26 families of the victims of the shooting.
Newtown Rotary Sandy Hook School Fund - Organized to support families of victims and other members of the Newtown community.
Newtown Youth and Family Services - Mental health clinic providing services to those affected.
Newtown Parent Connection - Bereavement group counseling, working locally to help.
Specific Victim Memorial Funds
Victoria L. Soto Memorial Fund for Education, via the Adzima Funeral Home
James R. Mattioli Memorial Fund c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St., Newtown, CT 06470.
Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund, 34 Charter Ridge Road, Sandy Hook, CT, 06482.
Chase Kowalski Scholarship Fund, c/o People's Bank, 470 Monroe Tpke., Monroe, CT 06468.
Campaigns at Crowd Funding Sites
There are many individuals and groups raising funds on several crowd funding platforms.
Examples include the Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims Relief Fund, started by Ryan on Crowdrise; the Sandy Hook Elementary School Fund at CrowdTilt, started by Chris DeLetto of Champaign, IL.; and several campaigns at Razoo. Even the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are on the scene and raising funds to help the kids in Newtown.
National Organizations
The American Red Cross - has provided food, water and emotional support for affected families.
Save the Children - has opened a child friendly space in a Newtown middle school to give local children a safe place to play and express themselves while their parents seek counseling and support.
Advocacy
This incident has energized gun control advocates. If you are interested in becoming involved, here are some organizations you might consider:
- Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
- Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
- Common Sense About Kids and Guns
- Violence Policy Center
The spotlight is also once again on mental health. Here are some organizations that work on that issue:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Mental Health America
- National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Note: Organizations mentioned here are not endorsed by me. Please perform due diligence.
What other Guides at About.com are saying:
- Guide to US Govt Information - USPS Sets Up Address for Newtown, CT Condolences
- Guide to School-Age Children - Talking to Kids About Scary News
- Guide to Elementary Education - How to Deal with the Tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary
- Guide to Human Resources - Violence Can Happen in Your Workplace
Photo: NEWTOWN, CT - DECEMBER 16: Teddy bears, flowers and candles in memory of those killed, are left at a memorial down the street from the Sandy Hook School December 16, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. Spencer Platt/Getty Images News.
Comments
Dear Nancy and Joanne, Thanks a million for helping us with tips on how to respond responsibly and meaningfully to a tragedy of such magnitude. Quality of response makes a huge difference to such a cause and you have rightly emphasised on allowing ourself to get over with one’s instant and raw response before taking any action to reach out those affected by this apparently unforgettable, unforgivable crime. The links to the available resources, Joanne, are undoubtedly very useful and in an uncertain state of painful mind, making them handy is a great service from you. = Gurudatt Kundapurkar, Schizophrenia Awareness Association, Pune, India.
Thanks you for your thoughts, Gurudatt.
Also, along the lines of mental health EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs is hard at work addressing the mental health needs of that community. We have volunteers already providing service in the area and we continue to set up trainings to help parents, clinicians, and teachers with how to provide help to those in need, and to help them themselves. We are a non-profit organization collecting donations for this specific cause, you can find it on our website http://www.emdrhap.org.
Thank you Abby for that resource.