Connecticut PTSA is deeply saddened by the tragedy that has struck our Newtown community. We have met with the PTA and community leaders in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary to offer our assistance at this very difficult time. They have asked us to spearhead the following efforts on their behalf:
Snowflakes for Sandy HookPlease help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! No two snowflakes are alike. Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013.
Additionally, my good friend, Alexandra, started a Lexington group doing 20 good deeds for 20 little angels. If you would like to send a donation or help in any way, let me know! You can drop anything off to me or send my way and I will get it to the right place. Please consider joining us by picking one event! Thank you so much in advance!
Here are some of the details below:
Basketballs and Footballs in memory of Jack
The Columbia Family Shelter is in need of Basketballs, size 3 and 5, and Nerf Footballs. Jack Pinto, age 6, loved sports, especially the New York Giants. This would be a very fitting donation in his memory!
Crayons and Coloring books in memory of Olivia
According to Olivia's family, she was a great artist and loved to draw. In fact, she was currently enrolled in art lessons. Lets donate as many coloring books and crayons to Epworths Children's Home in Olivia's memory!
School Supplies in memory of Catherine
Scottish Rite is a speech and language clinic that offers free therapy to children who are in need of language related services. They are in need of school supplies and gift cards. Lets donate any extra supplies we can find in honor of Catherine Hubbard, age 6, who loved her school and her teachers.
Locals: Run a 5k in honor of Chase
Chase was an active little fella, who at at 6 participated in a triathlon! Lets honor Chase by running a 5k in his memory, The Sandy Hook Elementary Memorial 5K and Half Marathon. Judy Shriner, who runs Stroller Strides Columbia, will be joining us with some of her awesome Stroller Strides Moms. This will be a great event and a fantastic way to remember Chase. Register through http://www.active.com/
Diaper drive in memory of Noah
Noah, age 6, was a twin. He loved playing with his twin sister and was a great brother. Being a twin, I feel as if this deed was a perfect match. A family with twins, who are also special needs, are in great need of diapers size 3. Wouldn't it be great if we could supply them with enough diapers for a whole year!? I know its a reach, but anything is possible. Lets try to collect as many size 3 diapers as possible, in memory of sweet Noah.
Cookies and Lemonade in memory of Josephine
Josephine, age 7, would sell cookies and lemonade in her neighborhood. Let make some baked goods to deliver to nurses who are tirelessly working Christmas Eve. I will be out of town and won't be able to join, but will be baking away for Alex to drop to the nurses!
Book collection in memory of Madeleine
Madeleine Hsu, age 6, was described as an "avid reader". Lets take her passion and pay it forward. Head Start preschool in Columbia is in GREAT need of children's books. Mandy, from Inakaya Watanabe Sushi Restaurant has graciously offered the restaurant as a drop off. Let make this a huge collection to bring to the school! Inakaya Watanabe's hours are 11:45-2 Tuesday-Friday, 5-10 Monday-Thursday, and 5-11 Friday and Saturday. We will be delivering the collection to Head Start January 11th at 9am.
Toiletries drive in memory of Grace
We will be holding a small toiletries drive at The Pastime Pavilion by the Old Timey Meat Market in Lexington, to collect toiletries for the Nancy K. Perry Children's Shelter. Lets make this collection grande in the name of Grace McDonnell, whose family regarded her as a child that was "always smiling". Please contact Mary Kay Rowell and myself for more information. As an idea, any fellow hoteliers out there, my husband was able to donate a whole box of toiletries from his hotel. A great way to help!
Knitting hats for babies in memory of James
Can you knit? I know I can't, but if you can, could you join?
James, age 6, was prematurely born 6 weeks early. This is a deed that he and his family would surely support. Mary McCrary Baylor contacted me about a knitting party she and some other moms are holding, to knit hats for the babies in the NICU. This is such a wonderful gesture and I am so happy to be able to link James to this good deed. If you are unable to attend the party, you can still participate by donating newborn hats, and I will collect them.
Socks and shirts for the homeless in honor of Dylan
The Oliver Gospel Mission, a homeless shelter in Columbia, is in need of men's socks and shirts. Please grab an extra bag of socks or shirts when you're doing your Christmas shopping. We will be making this donation in the memory of Dylan Hockley, age 6. According to his grandmother, he was an angel on earth.
Locals: PB&J's to the homeless on New Years Day in memory of Emilie
Relatives keep referring to Emilie, age 6, as a sweet, kind and supportive little girl. Lets get together New Years Day and hand out peanut butter sandwiches to the homeless outside of Oliver Gospel Mission, from Emilie. They are very grateful for the socks we are donating, but mentioned that once the residence leave for the day, they are sometimes without food until they return at night. Lets provide food for them, in honor of sweet Emilie.
Other ideas are still being worked on, but this is where we are currently. If you can't donate, please pray. Pray for a supernatural strength for these families during the holidays. For peace. For comfort. May we join together and hold this community tight.
If you have stuff you would like to send, please email me and I will give you my address!
kilbi.branch@gmail.com
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