Newtown High Grad Launches StuckOnNewtown Sticker Campaign

It all started with a tweet.

My name is Nicki Haylon (NHS class of 2008), and I was on my way to work in Boston on the morning of December 14, 2012 when I answered a call from my younger brother, Jeff. “Nicki,” he said, “There’s been a shooting at Sandy Hook. I’m in lockdown at the high school. No one knows what’s happening.”

The shock of what happened in my hometown, as details were revealed throughout the day, was devastating. The place where I had grown up no longer was the safe, small town that no one had ever heard of, and instead the home of one of the most tragic shooting events in history. I was able to go home to Newtown to be with my family that weekend, but found myself back in Boston on Monday feeling utterly helpless. That’s when I had the idea. As a startup employee, I know the inherent value of stickers to show off companies, causes, favorite bands, and anything else you can think of. My own laptop is adorned in stickers, and I know that a sticker is good for anywhere: car windows, water bottles, laptops, bags, and beyond. On a whim, I tweeted at my favorite vinyl sticker company, Stickermule, asking if they’d be willing to donate some stickers for a fundraiser. A few hours later, Stickermule had responded and donated 1000 stickers featuring the Newtown logo and ribbon that had quickly become a symbol of support on the day of the shooting.

With the help of some amazing friends, I was able to get stuckonnewtown.com up and running in a matter of days, and launched sales of the stickers on December 20th. The results and support thus far have been phenomenal – we’re definitely going to need more stickers!

Knowing that I’m DOING something has helped give me peace and comfort in this tough time for my home. All funds raised from sticker sales will benefit My Sandy Hook Family Fund, which is raising money for scholarships for all students at Sandy Hook Elementary and supporting the surrounding community, and the Ben Wheeler Fund, in honor of Ben Wheeler (one of the 7-year-old victims), whose family attends the same church as mine and is need of support. Let’s give these kids a reason to get excited about school again. Let’s show them that we love them and support them.

Let’s get stuck on Newtown.

The stickers feature the Newtown logo and a black ribbon, the image that many Newtown residents changed their Facebook profile pictures to as a way of showing support the day of the shooting. Stickers are available online at www.stuckonnewtown.com for a suggested donation of $5, though any amount is accepted. Stickers will also be on sale during the education hour (10-11am) at Trinity Episcopal Church on Sunday December 23rd, while supplies last.