I honestly cannot believe that your 18 today, you will always my baby brother- but more than that you are my best friend, and I really don't know what I would do without you!
Have a kick ass day, I can't wait to celebrate with you :)
Theres no one in the world I would rather have traveled the 50 states with over the past 18 years than you buddy.
The Sandy Hook Elementary Massacre in Newtown CT on Friday December 14, 2012 was one of the most appalling, heartbreaking, barbaric events that I have been alive to see happen during my 22 years.
26 lives were taken, when a gunman opened fire on classrooms at the Sandy Hook Elementary school. Among the lives taken were 20 children and 6 adults.
This horrifying event has shocked our very nation, and in the days following the attacks we have come together all over the country in a variety of ways to support and honor those helpless children and adults whose lives were so brutally taken from their loved ones this past friday.
While we cannot turn back time and bring back those who have been so wrongfully taken from us, there are ways that you can help those families in movies forward, heres how:
1) The Sandy Hook School Support Fund, set up by the United Way of Western Connecticut will provide support services to families and the community. All donations to this fund will go directly to those affected.
2) The Red Cross has been on the ground, offering food and water to affected families and first responders, and providing more than 50 units of blood to Danbury hospital where some of the victims were transported. They have set up a center for emergency grief counseling - and more than 100 Red Cross workers, including mental health professionals, are on the ground in Newtown helping to support the community. The Red Cross stresses it has what it needs to support efforts in Newtown, and is asking that those wishing to donate to families and the community, direct their contributions to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund
3) The nonprofit mental health clinic Newtown Youth and Family Services is providing counseling for families, community members and school staff, any donations made to the clinic will go directly to those affected.
4) The Newtown Memorial fund is taking donations for the families and community affected, and is also actively recruiting volunteers and offers of help of all kinds.
6) OneRepublic has also started a fund to raise money for those affected. You can find details on how to donate to OneRepublic's fund here
7) 'Lutheran Church Charities' has sent a team of 'comfort dogs' to the community. Chewie, Barnabas, Hannah and others will be visiting schoolchildren, attending funerals and memorial services, and will be at the memorial area. You can donate to help support the dogs' visit to Newtown here.
8) The US Postal Service has added a PO Box for those who wish to send letters of condolence to the residents of Newtown. Please address mail to: Message of Condolence, PO Box 3700, Newtown, CT 06470.
10) You can also send words of support and messages for families affected in an evergramhere. They will be collated and given to the families in the future.
11) The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection says anyone wishing to volunteer should call 211 or (800) 203-1234.
