School Shooting Tragedy Mourned by Nation

by Sheila Musaji

Yesterdays shooting rampage in Newtown, Connecticut which ended in the deaths of 20 children and 8 adults is a tragedy that has touched the hearts of the nation.

We all offer our heartfelt condolences for the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the families who lost loved ones in the terrible tragedy. We pray that God may grant the bereaved families patience and peace in this time of tragedy and loss.

There will certainly be many discussions about accessibility to mental health care, gun control, security, and many issues.  Right now, however, it is a time of mourning.  Many people want to do something to help the families and loved ones of the victims.  Here are a few practical things that can be done.  (As more information becomes available, we will update this.)

BENEFIT FUNDS

The United Way of Western Connecticut has set up a fund to benefit the victims and families of the Newtown shootings.  In response, UWWC, in partnership with Newtown Savings Bank, has created the Sandy Hook School Support Fund that will provide support services to the families and community affected by this senseless tragedy.  To donate to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, you can send a check to:

Sandy Hook School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Bank
39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470

Or, checks may be dropped off at any Newtown Savings Bank branch location - http://www.nsbonline.com/about-us/locations.aspx. For questions please call 800-461-0672.  To donate online, go to https://newtown.uwwesternct.org

RESOURCES TO HELP CHILDREN WHO ARE AFFECTED BY TRAGEDY

The National Disaster Interfaith Network has a guide with resources for helping cope with tragedies such as this http://www.n-din.org/ndin_resources/tipsheets_v1208/24_NDIN_TS_Children.pdf

National Association of School Psychologists has a guide: A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope: tips for parents and teachers http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/terror_general.aspx

SOCIAL ACTION

If you would like to send a card offering condolences and support, you can send to Sandy Hook Elementary School, 12 Dickerson Drive,  Newtown, CT 06482

If you wish to contact your elected representative about gun control, you can find their information here http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Roots Action has a form you can use to send a letter to your elected representatives asking them to enact serious national gun control now http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7039

There are petitions on http://www.whitehouse.gov
— to make mental health a national emergency issue https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-mental-health-national-emergency/DLwvxxzJ
— to Immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation in Congress https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/immediately-address-issue-gun-control-through-introduction-legislation-congress/2tgcXzQC