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| Stuffed animals and a sign calling for prayer rest at the base of a tree near the Newtown VIllage Cemetery in Newtown, Conn., Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. Six-year-old student Jack Pinto, who was killed Friday when a gunman opened fire inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School, is scheduled to be buried at the cemetery Monday afternoon. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) |
Many organizations are finding ways to help the people impacted by the tragedy in Newtown. Here are some of them.
My Sandy Hook Family Fund: Established to help the families who lost children and family members. Donations will go toward helping them meet immediate expenses, including funeral services, as well as ongoing living expenses such as food, mortgage payments, day care, insurance and fuel.
Newtown Memorial Fund: Established to provide financial support to families for funeral services, to assist the town in creating a lasting memorial and to provide an annual scholarship to students of the Newtown Public Schools who will be going to college.
Newtown Youth and Family Services: Providing counseling to community members, and all donations to the organization will go directly to those affected by the shooting.
Sandy Hook School Support Fund: The United Way of Western Connecticut set up this fund to support the families and community members. To donate, visit its website.
Sandy Hook School Support Fund: The United Way of Western Connecticut set up this fund to support the families and community members. To donate, visit its website.
Red Cross: Providing food, water and emotional support to families and first responders. The organization is also providing grief counseling to the community.
Newtown Parent Connection: All donations will go to those directly affected by the shooting. The organization is also providing support resources to the community, including trauma-support sessions.
Emilie Parker Memorial Fund: In honor of 6-year-old victim Emilie Parker, who was originally from Utah, has been set up at America First Credit Union in Utah. The funds will go to support Robbie and Alissa, in taking time off work to be with family, any medical expenses, in flying to Utah to arrange and plan a funeral. For more information about how to donate, visit the fund’s Facebook page.
Save the Children: Helping families in Newtown with grief counseling and support. The organization also put out a list of tips on how to support your children through this tragedy.
BEFORE YOU DONATE:
People want to help and do something, anything, but may be unsure how. There are plenty of wonderful ways to reach out, but first perform due diligence. Do some simple checking investigate before you donate and find out who or what is the recipient of your money.
If it’s a large organization not known to you, check to see if the charity is registered. Some online resources tell you exactly how much the group raised and how the money was spent. But there are ways to give without spending a dime.
http://www.guidestar.org/rxg/products/verification-solutions/guidestar-charity-check.aspx
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
The U.S. Postal Service has established a unique Post Office Box to allow the public to send condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT last week. Those who wish to send expressions of comfort should address them to:
Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown CT 06470
ADVOCACY GROUPS
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Common Sense About Kids and Guns
