Bringing the Spirit Back to Newtown- THIS SATURDAY

barb norman December 18, 2012 at 08:45 pm

Way to go, Newtown, for not allowing one sick person to destroy your spirit! Peace and love to you all.

kenny ketter December 18, 2012 at 11:39 pm

i feel bring santa to newton is a very good idle

Lynn Samperi December 19, 2012 at 04:15 am

Also the Patch with Operation snuggle Newtown has managed to collect new teddy bears and hundreds of them for Santa to give out to children and adults.

colleen wright December 19, 2012 at 07:41 am

What a wonderful thing to do.. I will try my best to bring my girls. It has been so hard on everyone. Especially my five year old. She has so many questions & I don't know the right answers to give her. I'm hoping a visit will help ease her mind..

Alice December 19, 2012 at 07:58 am

You shouldn't be afraid of grieving and showing up your emotions.In time like this it is more than ok to just weep and grieve not to pretend that nothing has happened.You have the rest of your lives to feel better and kick in the good spirit ,unlike the victims who won't have the chance to spend any other Christmas, but now you should just let it go and grieve ,it hasn't yet been a week after the tragedy and you want everything back to normal so soon that is so disrespectul of the people that lost a loved one .You should have held like a kind of community supper in memory of the lost ones.Now is their time , but you are afraid of death and sorrow and is much safer to just sugar coat it with "cookies and cocoa, candy canes, a dj playing the sounds of the seasons, an arts and crafts station, a coloring center and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus."

Lynn Samperi December 19, 2012 at 12:13 pm

Alice- thank you for your comment. The only thing I can say though is while grieving is vital, necessarry, key to the process of healing so is reminding the children that they are children. This event is nothing more than something normal for the kids to do to rememeber it is ok to be happy and be a kid. If we dont try to bring something "kid-like" to Newtown than the killer wins. This is simply a kind gesture to try and bring a few hours of happiness and distraction to Newtown and its families.

Chris December 19, 2012 at 02:09 pm

This has undoubtedly been a truly agonizing time for the whole world. A million times more for those who have lost someone they loved. Those who passed are heroes and angels. They are and will be forever missed. The event is nothing more than a warm gesture for those families who would like to take part in it. This week has been surrounded by tragedy and those who choose to grieve will do so as they respectfully should. Others need an event like this. If even for a minute a child can fill their head with the thought of the holidays it can mean the world to their young minds. There are hundreds of events and activities being held in support of this wonderful town. These are good, caring people whose intentions are of the warmest sorts. There may be 20 families, there may be 200 families. The important thing is that the spirit of the holiday season will be there for those families and children who need it as some in Newtown have expressed. Its nothing more than an option with absolutely no disrespect to those lost.

Mary December 19, 2012 at 02:44 pm

What has happened is beyond horrific, but those children who survived need to have their lives returned to normal as soon as possible. It is the job of adults to worry and mourn. Children will do so for awhile but at such a young age they don't need such a burden on them. It's not disrespectful to do something for the children that survived this tragedy, they important too.

Kerri Pomponio December 19, 2012 at 04:59 pm

As a Newtown resident, I think this is a wonderful gesture. I'm also going to be involved in Hugs and Hope, which will also provide a wonderful, thoughtful gesture to my fellow Newtownians on Christmas Day. This is something ONLY for the towns people and not something to be splashed across the media. If you'd like to know more or volunteer for this event, please check on: http://newtown.patch.com/blog_posts/hugs-hope
http://newtown.patch.com/blog_posts/hugs-hope-part-2 Thank you.

Angels Among Us December 21, 2012 at 02:26 pm

Thank you to Santa and Mrs. Claus for opening up their hearts and thinking about those left behind. It is truly a selfless act and should be viewed as such. Redirection for the children who lost friends and/or family can help them to heal. Even if they did not know those who are gone, it is a traumatic experience for the entire town. Parents need to see their kids be kids, they need the redirection too.
To the naysayers..... Don't be such a Grinch, remember what it was like when you were a kid. If you do not have anything nice to say, please don't say anything at all.

Sandy Keroack (Maine) December 22, 2012 at 05:50 am

Alice, what a wonderful heartfelt statement. My heart and prayers go out to all the families, friends, relatives who have lost a loved one. We are from all over the USA
with you and will be with you always.....! May God Bless you all and we know you have twenty-six angels shining down on you always. Love to each and everyone of you. Sandy (Maine)

herman keel December 22, 2012 at 09:37 am

im from parkersburg wv and your whole town is my prayers i lost two nieces in February so we know a little what your going thru but just wanted to stay your in my prayers and at work Christmas eve ill wear a green.and white bow the keel family

Carolyn December 22, 2012 at 02:54 pm

We're still praying for you, Newtown and we'll continue to do so for a long time to come. I hope the media and well-wishers in your town leave you in private to grieve and help you and your children celebrate Christmas in the best way you see fit. Warmest and most sincere wishes from Granby, we will be thinking of you and sending prayers often. xoxo

CindyRella December 22, 2012 at 02:54 pm

Colleen, have you had to chance to visit Chalk Hill School with your girls? It was a wonderful experience for the children to see their "new school" that contained all of their familiar classroom items. If you haven't had to chance to go yet, the school will be open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this coming week. I was privileged to give tours, and was so happy to see the children thrilled with the prospect of going back to school with their friends.

Keith December 23, 2012 at 02:20 pm

Does anyone know whether the green and white ribbons are available for donations somewhere today? We have a friend in from out of town that wants some.