East Lyme Vigil for School Shooting Victims Set For Sunday

East Lyme's youth have rallied to organize a candlelight vigil in honor of the memory of the children and teachers who died in the brutal and heart-wrenching shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday.

The vigil will be held on Sunday, December 23 at 6 p.m. at McCook Point Park in Niantic. East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica said that clergy members from six different faith communities, local officials, and local and state elected leaders had been invited to attend, but everyone who wishes to honor the memories of the victims is welcome.

There will be an opportunity to make donations to help the victims and the schools of Newtown. Refreshments, such as hot chocolate, will be available for sale with all of the proceeds going to aid the victims. The town of East Lyme is currently collecting donations to send to Newtown's Youth Service Department and East Lyme Schools are collecting funds at the district's Central Office to send to the Newtown school district.  

Formica said the date was chosen as a sign of unity, because many other towns are also planning vigils for this Sunday.

Woodbury Remembers Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal

One of those towns is Woodbury, hometown of Dawn Hochsprung, 47, principal of the school and one of six adults killed along with 20 children, which is holding a vigil in memory of those who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at Hollow Park.

All clergy and community groups were invited to participate in offering words of solace and reflection during this community gathering, according to a press release from the town of Woodbury. For more information about that vigil, contact the First Selectman’s Office at 203-263-2141, e-mail JanK@woodburyct.org or call the Parks & Recreation Office at 203-263-3113.