How to Help Families Affected by Newtown Conn. Shooting

In the wake of the unimaginable tragedy at Sandy Hook School Friday people from all over the world — in Connecticut, Florida, Canada and much farther away in Australia and India — sent an outpouring of support and want to know how they can help.

If you want to be notified via email of ways to provide comfort and support during this difficult time, please visit the original story on Newtown Patch and post in the comments section: "I want to help."

That story has more than 1,000 comments from folks pledging to help.

Patch will continue to update to that article with ways to help — posting updates to the story as well as in the comments thread, triggering an email notification to commenters — and if you know of an organization or fundraiser providing assistance, let us know in the comments section, too.

Already the United Way of Western Connecticut, in partnership with Newtown Savings Bank, created the Sandy Hook School Support Fund to help provide support services to the families who are affected.

Check donations may be mailed to: 

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

If you have questions on the fund, you may call 800-461-0672.

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A former Sandy Hook Elementary School student named Ryan Kraft, also a longtime neighbor of the Lanza family, posted on Newtown Patch saying he set up a fund to help heal his community.

The link to the fund site is here — http://www.crowdrise.com/SHSRelief — and according to Kraft, all monies are directed toward the school's PTSA organization.

You, too, can post a blog on Newtown Patch. We encourage you to visit our sister Patch site to post a blog and offer your thoughts and support and ask for ways to help. A Tennessee teacher even posted on the site asking how Tennessee teachers can help.

There are several Newtown organizations in Connecticut that are also pitching in, The Huffington Post reports:

Danbury Hospital
Danbury hospital has partnered with other local counseling and mental health agencies within the community and is providing crisis intervention services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Find out how you can contribute here.

Friends of the Engel Family Fund
Olivia Engel, 6, was shot and killed during the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. To help the family of the little girl who longtime family friend, Dan Merton, said "had perfect manners" and was the "teacher's pet, the line leader," supporters have set up the Friends of the Engel Family Fund. Find out how you can donate here.

Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims Relief Fund
A former Sandy Hook student has set up the Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims Relief Fund in conjunction with Crowdrise, to raise funds for the victims, families and others affected by the tragic shooting. Donations will be directed to the Sandy Hook PTSA, according to the fundraising site. Find out how you can get involved here.

Newtown Memorial Fund
The Newtown Memorial Fund aims to help victims’ families pay for funeral costs, set up a community-wide memorial and a college scholarship fund for the students of the Newtown Public Schools. Find out how you can get involved here. 

Emilie Parker Memorial Fund
Emilie Parker, 6, was one of 26 victims killed on Friday in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. To support Emilie’s parents, Robbie and Alissa, in paying for medical expenses, arranging for a funeral in Utah and taking off from work to spend time with family, friends and relatives have set up the Emilie Parker Memorial Fund. To donate via PayPal, use the email brookeprothero@yahoo.com.

Newtown Youth and Family Services 
Newtown Youth & Family Services, Inc., a nonprofit mental health clinic, will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for emergency counseling for families, community members or staff involved in the Sandy Hook 
Elementary school tragedy. All donations made to the organization will benefit those affected. Find out how you can help here.

Newtown Parent Connection
The Newtown Parent Connection, a nonprofit that addresses issues of substance abuse, also offers bereavement group counseling on the first Wednesday of every month. The organization told The Huffington Post that it’s going to try to bring in additional counselors to accommodate the needs of those affected by the Sandy Hook shooting. Find out how you can help here.

Helpful Links

• Victims Relief Fund set up by former SHS student and Lanza family neighbor
• United Way's Sandy Hook Support Fund Announcement
• Checks may also be dropped off at any Newtown Savings Bank branch location.
• How to Donate With a Credit Card

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More links to Newtown Patch’s coverage here:

• Reaction: Sandy Hook School Shooting
• Police Raid Sandy Hook Home Hours After Shooting
• [PHOTOS] Newtown School Shooting

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