Today was a sad day here in Connecticut. It has been one week since the tragic shooting occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School that has left 26 families, the community of Newtown, Connecticut and our nation forever changed. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t cried. My heart hurts for these families who have suffered a loss so great. Although I did not know any of the victims personally I know many who did.
Everyone has been touched by this event in some way, shape or form. We’ve all had to work through sadness and anger…myself included. My mother always tells me that “You can’t fight evil with hate, you can only fight evil with love.” That’s why I created this tree. It’s a tree of life. I want to celebrate the lives of those that were lost on December 14, 2012. I want to honor them and remember them.
This is my way of showing my love for the heroic teachers who gave their lives to save the other children, love for the little angels that were taken from this earth too soon, love for the families who are hurting, and love for the community of Newtown who are broken-hearted but not broken. Evil cannot break them as long as there is love. The outpouring of love and support for Newtown from around the globe is evidence of this
20 little angels received their wings last Friday. 20 little birds are soaring up in heaven. Each child is represented on this tree of life by a sparkling, shining bird. They all sparkle and twinkle in the light. Though they were taken much too soon the light of each of these little ones shines on.
The teachers are represented by flowers. These heroic women devoted their lives to shape the minds of young people and help them to bloom and grow. Now it is they that are blooming bright and beautiful up in heaven. We will never forget their sacrifice. They are the greatest example of love.
The Heroes
To learn more about these heroic women please click on the provided links. Many of the families have set up memorial funds for special charities to honor their memory.
Dawn Hochsprung: Dawn’s family has established the Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung Memorial Fund in her memory.
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. To donate online, go tohttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org
Lauren Rousseau: For those wanting to send financial gifts, the family asks they send donations to the Lauren Rousseau Memorial Scholarship Fund that was set up at Danbury High School. Checks can be sent to 43 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, Conn. 06811.
Victoria Soto: The family has requested that donations be made to the Victoria L. Soto Memorial Fund for Education, through the Funeral Home. For more information or to make an online condolence please visit www.adzimafuneralhome.com.
Rachel D’Avino: Update Pending.
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. To donate online, go tohttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org
The Little Angels
Each and every one of these children are precious gifts. I want to honor and remember them always. You can read more about them by clicking on the links below.
Caroline Previdi: Contributions in Caroline’s memory may be made to “The Toy Chest”, St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.
Ana Marquez Green: Anagracefund.com
Jessica Rekos: Memorial contributions may be made to the Newtown Rotary Sandy Hook School Fund, PO Box 263, Newtown, CT 06482.
Benjamin Wheeler: It is suggested that contributions in Benjamin’s memory be made to the Benjamin Wheeler Fund, c/o Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St., Newtown, Conn., 06470.
Catherine Hubbard: The family is asking donations be made to the Newtown Animal Center, PO Box 475, Newtown, CT 06470
Avielle Richman: To learn more about Avielle please visit Avielle’s Adventures Blog
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. To donate online, go tohttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org
James Mattioli: A donation may be made in James’ memory to the James R. Mattioli Memorial Fund c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.
Josephine Gay: A fund is being set up in Josephine’s honor I will update when the information is available. In the meantime you may honor Josephine by wearing purple…her favorite color.
Olivia Engel: Contributions in Olivia’s honor can be directed to the Newtown Park and Bark at NewtownParkAndBark.org.
Madeline Hsu: A Private Funeral has been held for Madeline I will update with any information about a memorial fund in her honor.
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. To donate online, go tohttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org
Charlotte Bacon: Contributions in Charlotte’s memory may be sent to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Newtown, CT 06470.
Jesse Lewis: Update pending.
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. To donate online, go tohttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org
Noah Pozner: Memorial contributions will be directed to the planting of trees in Israel at Noah’s Ark of Hope Fund.
Dylan Hockley: Memorial contributions may be made to the Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund, 34 Charter Ridge Road, Sandy Hook, CT, 06482.
Daniel Barden: donations may be made in Daniel’s name to the 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. To donate online, go tohttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org
Jack Pinto: Update pending.
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. To donate online, go tohttps://newtown.uwwesternct.org
Allison Wyatt: To honor Allison’s memory or to aid her sister, please consider donations to either the Allison Wyatt Memorial Fund, Steve DeMartino, c/o TransAct Technology Inc, One Hamden Center, 2319 Whitney Avenue, Suite 3B, Hamden CT 06518 or a check payable to Ben Wyatt as Custodian, same address.
Emilie Parker: Emilie’s parents have set up a fund where proceeds will go to helping ALL of the families affected by this tragedy. For more information on Emilie Parker or to make a donation please visit EmilieParkerFund.com
Grace McDonnell: The family requests that you consider making a donation to the Grace Memorial fund at the Fairfield County Community Foundation. If you choose to do so, please make your check payable to “Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund at FCCF” and mail it to Fairfield County Community Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851.
Chase Kowalski: Donations to the Chase Kowalksi Scholarship Fund can be made via Paypal to Mylove4chase@charter.net or mail c/o Peoples Bank, 470 Monroe Tpke., Monroe, CT 06468.
Twitter: @ChaseKowalskiMF
The surviving children of Sandy Hook Elementary will be attending school at the former Middle School I once attended here in Monroe. The PTSA would like to welcome them with a Winter Wonderland when they arrive at their new school. If you would like to create a snowflake to welcome the Sandy Hook Elementary School children you can send them to the address below or if you would like to send them to me I will hand deliver them to the school.
Amy Bowerman
186 Crosshill Rd.
Monroe, CT 06468
Snowflakes for Sandy Hook
Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013. Snowflakes can also be delivered to CT PTSA.
Thank you for all the love and support for the community of Newtown!
Amy*
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Snowflakes are going out tomorrow. Thanks for this post. Our prayers are with all of you that have to deal with the aftermath of this tragedy.
Amy, this is a beautiful way to remember all those who died that tragic day. Such a lovely gesture. Thank you for sharing with us.
What a lovely way to preserve the memory of the victims of this tragedy.
Paula@SweetPea recently posted..Christmas Vignettes :: Sharing the Last Few for 2012
This is such a beautiful tree. It hold so much love and peace. Thank you for sharing with us. HUGS.
Shahrul Niza recently posted..Hearts for Newtown