NEWTOWN, CT -- In New Hampshire, a student created a makeshift candlelight memorial for the victims.
On Long Island, a neighborhood turned off its holiday lights in the wake of the shooting that killed , at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday.
A blogger from Atlanta wrote a riveting Christmas poem, where he asks Santa to "take my presents and change them into hugs. And throw them down their chimneys with all your Christmas love." More than 1,000 Facebook users have shared Brandon Kelley's post.
As Newtown residents take their first, tentative steps toward recovering from a shocking shooting spree that has gripped the nation, an outpouring of support continues to build. Already, more than 1,400 Patch users have posted this four-word comment — "I want to help" — on an article created for people seeking to get auto-notified about ways they can support this devastated community.
And the offers and expressions of support have been impressive.
Virginia's Emily R. Doll wrote a letter to Newtown. In it, she says that while she's never been here, "my heart shattered for you today in a way I can’t comprehend."
A 20-year old from a rural Illinois town has started a Facebook group, "Teddys for Newtown," which already has nearly 1,000 likes. Alysa White's simple, but loving, goal: Collect teddy bears for each of the children that attend Sandy Hook Elementary School.
I live in Rhode Island, and believe you me-if these horrible excuse for people try to even set foot near any of these babies precious burials I (along with everyone I can gather) will be there to stop them.
I am from Conn. myself and just wish I could be there to hold and hug someone there. But prayers are what we can do when nothing else works. God bless from Florida Dotti
Patricia Colella
Vicki from Virginia
Diane Hook
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below, With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear, For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up hear. I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, For it is beyond description to hear the angles sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart But I am not so far away, we really aren't apart. So be happy sor me dear ones, you know I hold you dear, And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I send yueach a special gift from my heavenly home above. I snt you each a memory of my undying love. After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold. It was always most important in the stories Jesus told. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear Remember, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ thei year. I hear the many
i can not be there in person to block these people if they do come, but know that i will be there in spirit and prayer, for every funeral going on.
What the town needs is to be able to return to normalcy. That is the greatest gift anyone could give at this time.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church) READ: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/we-will-render-you-obsolete-anonymous-attacks-westboro-baptist-over-plans-to-picket-sandy-hook-funerals/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323723104578185630890326530.html "It's a complex problem that requires more than one solution," Carney said Tuesday. "It calls for not only re-examining our gun laws and how well we enforce them, but also for engaging mental health professionals, law-enforcement officials, educators, parents and communities to find those solutions." Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/19/obama-to-launch-effort-led-by-biden-to-create-new-policies-in-wake-school/#ixzz2FVKGkqWb President Barack Obama is launching an administration-wide effort to curb gun violence, underscoring the growing political consensus over tightening gun restrictions following the horrific elementary school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/19/16014584-obama-to-task-biden-to-tackle-gun-violence-after-newtown-shootings?lite Hope all get tackled better security in schools, mental health & Changing the policies on gun laws because: The president has vowed to use "whatever power this office holds" to safeguard the nation's children after Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.
For teachers, school security jumps to forefront after Newtown shootings http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/18/15999084-for-teachers-school-security-jumps-to-forefront-after-newtown-shootings?lite