Ways to help the community of Newtown, CT

Last night in his address, President Obama vowed to take action to not only heal the community of Newtown, but also fix a nation that has some serious shortcoming. While politics is not an excuse for not grappling with the issues of gun control, safety measures and mental health, they are hard problems to solve. And at the end of the day, we will have to turn to one another and strive as a nation to make a better and safer future. 

President Obama went on to say, “You know, all the world’s religions, so many of them represented here today, start with a simple question.  Why are we here? What gives our life meaning? What gives our acts purpose? … There’s only one thing we can be sure of, and that is the love that we have for our children, for our families, for each other. “

And that is exact what we must do.  Parenting magazine posted on their website a
list of various ways to help the families and community of Newtown, CT. “In the
wake of the unfathomable tragedy at Sandy Hook School Friday, people all over
the world have been aching to do something, anything to help. The following are
a few organizations that are accepting donations for the community:

1. The United Way:

“United Way extends our most sincere condolences and prayers to all those families affected by the devastating events in Newtown/Sandy Hook, Connecticut. While the eyes of the world may be on Newtown/Sandy Hook, to several staff, volunteers and contributors, Newtown is home. We will stand with the community and everyone affected directly and indirectly by this tragic event as we face the days and weeks ahead,” the United Way of Western Connecticut’s Web site says. Click here for more information or to donate online. Check donations may be mailed to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.

2. The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Connecticut provided more than 50 units of blood platelets and plasma to the Danbury Hospital, where some of the victims were transported, spokesperson Melanie Pipkin told the Huffington Post. The organization has also distributed food and water to first responders and is setting up a family reception center that will provide initial grief counseling, but they do not anticipate needing any more blood donations going forward. Click here fore more information. 

3. Newtown Youth and Family Services

Newtown Youth & Family Services, Inc., a nonprofit mental health clinic, will be open this weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide emergency counseling to families, community members or staff. All donations made to the organization will benefit those affected. Find out how you can help here.

4. Newtown Parent Connection

The Newtown Parent Connection, a nonprofit that addresses issues of substance abuse, also offers bereavement group counseling and will to try to bring in additional counselors to accommodate the needs of those affected by the  shooting. Click here fore more information. 

5. Meals

New York Times "Your Money" Columnist Ron Lieber posted the following suggestion on his Facebook page this morning:

Buy the community of Newtown, CT some breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can call King's Breakfast & Lunch at 203-426-6881 or call My Place Pizza at 203-270-7061. I told them to send pizzas and give meals to whoever needs it. I just called Kings and they were unbelievably grateful. Or look on Yelp.

Once again, as President Obama commented, the best way to honor the legacy of the victims is through love. “We know we’re always doing right when we’re taking care of them, when we’re teaching them well, when we’re showing acts of kindness. We don’t go wrong when we do that.”

“Charlotte, Daniel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Madeline, Catherine, Chase, Jesse, James, Grace, Emilie, Jack, Noah, Caroline, Jessica, Benjamin, Avielle, Allison, God has called them all home.  For those of us who remain, let us find the strength to carry on and make our country worthy of their memory. “