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Massachusetts to Newtown: Share Your Love
Help Patch build a huge virtual card to the Newtown, CT community and let them know they are in your heart and on your mind.
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In the wake of the horrific tragedy that befell Newtown on Friday, expressions of love and support for victims and their loved ones are appearing throughout downtown Sandy Hook.
Gary Jeanfaivre
Photos (9)
Photos
“There is a saying in Tibetan, 'Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.' No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.” – The Dalai Lama
When unthinkable tragedy strikes, we grapple for a way to come to terms with the how and the why. We search for ways to make sense of what happened, even when it doesn't make sense.
The horrific shooting that took place at the Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, CT on Friday, Dec. 14, stunned a nation as the news broke that not one child, but 20, six- and seven-year-old children and six of their teachers had been shot and killed by a gunman who then took his own life.
Most communities can only begin to imagine sorrow that washed over this Connecticut town described as close-knit and quiet, a suburban community just 60 miles outside of New York City. It was something that we've never imagined, so many lives cut so unbelievably and inexplicably short.
Patch is in more than 900 communities across the country, including Newtown, and when tragedy strikes one of our communities, we all feel it. We are left to question what we would do, how we would cope if something like what happened in Newtown happened in one of our communities—many of which are so like this town of 27,000.
We may not be neighbors in the geographical sense, but at Patch we feel a sense of community across our 900 sites. That's why we here in Massachusetts want to share our love, our thoughts and our prayers with our neighbors in Newtown, and we want your help.
Newtown is sure to be inundated with flowers and gifts over the coming days and weeks. Creation of memorial funds and teddy bear drives have already begun, so we wanted to do what we do best—pull our communities together through our sites and social media—and create a huge virtual card for the close-knit community that lost so much on Friday.
Here's what you can do:
- Upload a photo like the one above, with a message for the families who lost their loved ones, for the students who lost their classmates, for the community trying to make sense of it all and find peace again.
- Upload a video with a message from you or your family.
- Do your kids want to do something? Upload a photo of a card from them to the students at Sandy Hook School.
- Businesses: Do you have a sign board out front? Share your message to the Newtown community and upload a photo.
To upload a photo or video, make sure you're signed into your Patch account and click the "Upload photos and videos" button. If you need to create an account, you can do so by clicking "join" at the top of the page. It takes just a minute and is free.
Let's show our love and support for Newtown as it grieves and eventually begins to heal from Friday's senseless tragedy.
If you want to send a donation to the families affected by Friday's shooting, get more information here.
Follow Newtown Patch's coverage of the Sandy Hook School shooting here.
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
Dawn
2:31 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Candle is lit & all in thought ,memory & prayers! Yes, we love eachother, is so, we're all sisters & brothers!!!! These lives taken is another boulder put on the Communities sholuder. Whoever truly cares, be there to offer a way to wipe away others tears & ease fears!!!! Our hearts he did sever, they're now in Heaven, they will live forever!
Carol Corchado
4:11 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
My heart goes out to all the families. Heaven now has 26 beautiful angels. They will live in our hearts forever
Dawn
5:53 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Yes, agreed. candle is lit & prayed for! God bless you for responing!
christine b cassidy
6:21 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
We will never forget & forever you will remain in our hearts <3 <3
Stephanie Nugent
8:27 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
We all should gather on Framingham commons tomorrow and have a candle light vigil, pray for those who were lost, all those who were affected........
Matthew Virzi
9:25 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Bless those in Newtown, CT
We can’t know why the lily has so brief a time to bloom in the warmth of sunlight’s kiss upon its face before it folds into its fragrance and bids the world good night to rest its beauty in a gentler place. But we can know that nothing that is loved is ever lost and no one who has touched a heart can really pass away because some beauty lingers on in each memory of which they’ve been a part. - Ellen Brenneman
AppleBottom02148
11:19 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Bless those little Angels and the wonderful Teachers, Fire, Police, EMT'S and everyone else. My thoughts and prayers to all who had to suffer through this awful tragedy. GODSPEED
michelle willey
8:48 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
God bless them all may they find peace my heart goes out to the parents i wish i could hug each and everyone of them hopefully with time they will heal
MMRosenthal
9:43 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
As we mourn for the families in Connecticut, we need to extend our prayers to the 22 school children and teacher in China, who were slain the same morning; but, understandably under the circumstances, received less attention in the American news.
Every child deserves an education/a childhood that is not stained by violence, no matter where they are born. For every child, we pray for a better world.
robert
3:51 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
They were not slain! They all survived. Yikes.
Christine
10:25 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
My heartfelt prayers from my family to yours in this time of need. No words can replace your love ones to an act of violence. My family hope these children and staffs rest in peace. It made us hold our child close in this time of need. I can't imagine how it must of felt especially around the holiday, with loving supports from our families to yours and angels by your side, God bless you all and be able to get through this.
Much hugs,
The Stratemeier Family
linda
10:35 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
There are not enough words to express the sorrow felt deep in our hearts for the loss of so many innocent angels. Prayers for all the families, friends and the community of Sandy Hook for whom this tragic event will forever leave a hole in their hearts. We are supposed to come together this time of year in peace and love and reflect that we are all God's children, so let us do that now and always and honor the lives of the children and teachers who will now watch over us as angels forever.
krissy o
11:39 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
We are all so sorry and grief stricken at what has happened here and in China. No matter where it happens a life lost is grieved for and I hope all the families find some sort of peace. My heart is saddened at how another human being can be so casual at taking a life. My heart goes out to all the families. God speed.
robyn babineau
11:53 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
To honor and love the innocent angels that we lost Friday December 14, we need to be just a little bit kinder to each other, to love a little more than we usually do. I can't even express the pain and saddness I feel, so I will smile more and express hope and love in all I do today and the days ahead. Kindness and love will get us through this extremley sad time in our nation.
abdul
12:05 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
It's a sad event and I pray for the families of the lost ones.
Keith R. Enste
12:35 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those touched by this tragedy. We hope that these wishes and the passage of time help you to find some inner-peace. None of us can adequately understand what it is you are experiencing; please know that you will remain always in our thoughts.
Valerie Stone
1:11 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Remember the children.
Dina
1:12 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
a candlelight vigil is planned for tonight Monday 7:45pm on the sidewalk next to CVS on Broadway (Central Ave intersection). Please join us. God bless all of us and especially give strength and comfort to the victims' families. Also, please post if there is another vigil planned or under way ...maybe we could join as 1...
Matt Schooley
1:42 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Dina,
Thank you for the heads up. You may want to be more specific on what town this vigil will take place in since this story is posted on Patch sites around the state. Thank you again for the notice, and I hope there is a large turnout for the vigil.
Matt
Dina
1:57 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Thanks Matt-the vigil will be at 575 Broadway in Malden on the side of CVS on the intersection of Broadway and Central Ave tonight Monday the 17th -don't forget candles.
Toni Hamilton
1:59 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
I have a 6 year old grandson, you have all my thoughts and prayers at this time. The world needs to make this a saver place for OUR CHILDREN. Children everywhere are everyones responsibility. This country is NOT SAFEf anymore, Why? Because the motto in this country is "Can't Do Anything" Well, terriorist are killing our children ...guns are, you don't have to be a brain surgeon to figure out what the mentality is in this country. So it is time for the MOTHER'S of the WORLD to stand up and say ENOUGH!!! You have the POWER, use it!!! God Bless
Michael Fleming
2:41 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Toni
Not the place to debate this subject. This is for sending our love and support to those affected. Debate this worthy subject elsewhere.
Leslie Rutan
2:02 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
So glad to see so many people from all over the country sharing their thoughts, feelings, and prayers regarding this horrible tragedy.
Michael Fleming
2:39 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
God bless all the victims and their extended families. So sad, so senseless.
Anne Shirley
6:29 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
My heart goes out to the victims and their families.
matthew tyson
6:51 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
The little ones are sitting on God lap,with his arms wrapped around them,holding them so tight,protecting them,watching over them. He will never let them go. God bless the families ,and watch over them.
Jeanne FitzPatrick
12:20 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
None of us can truly know your pain, we can only Inadequately imagine. But know there are many tears shed, and broken hearts for you and your families all over the world. It's all we can do to let you know you are not alone and that we care. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the many difficult days ahead. You will never be far from our hearts. Please know that There are many who are thinking of you even though we may be far away and not know you.
Jeanne FitzPatrick
Andover, MA.
Karlene Blaser
6:09 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I am from Newtown
"Newtown Alumni Fundraising Group" of which I am a proud member. This group is taking donations that are being handled by the Newtown Rotary Club. 100% of every penny donated goes directly to the needs, whatever they be, of the town of Newtown. Please visit the FB page and the fundraising site if you would like to help in any way.
All donations, no matter how large or small, will be put to good use in helping our wonderful hometown recover from this horrific tragedy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Karlene Bresson Blaser.
Newtown Alumni Fund raiser:
http://www.newtownalumnifund.org/
Steven Cavaretta
6:55 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Ryan Grannan-Doll:
Would it be possible for you to confirm that the "Newtown Alumni Fundraising Group" is an organization that is authorized and registered to solicit funds for the victims and their families? I don't mean to be heartless but much of the money donated for Sandy victims went astray.
Karlene Blaser
7:30 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
@ Steven Cavaretta - Please click on the http://www.newtownalumnifund.org/
Then go down the page and click on [View the IRS Tax-Exempt Determination Letter]
This is the official 501 (C) aknowledgement and affirmation letter from the IRS!!!!
HJ
9:28 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
God bless everyone who was murdered in 2012.