December 27th, 2012
09:20 AM ET

Newtown overwhelmed by gifts, asks for temporary halt of donations

An outpouring of support and gifts for Newtown, Connecticut, in the wake of a mass shooting has forced the town to ask for a temporary halt in donations.

"Our hearts are warmed by the outpouring of love and support from all corners of our country and world," Newtown First Selectman Patricia Llodra said. "We are struggling now to manage the overwhelming volume of gifts and ask that sympathy and kindness to our community be expressed by donating such items to needy children and families in other communities in the name of those killed in Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14.

"Thank you for understanding our message of appreciation and our need to now defer gifts to others in need."

The town has received worldwide support after Adam Lanza opened fire on Sandy Hook Elementary school, killing 20 children, six school employees and his own mother before taking his life.

People can still donate through the Sandy Hook Donations Fund, maintained through United Way of Western Connecticut.

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Filed under: Connecticut
soundoff (224 Responses)
  1. DunlapMom

    But the donations won't necessarily go toward services or things that directly benefit the survivors. United Way will distribute any funds or items as they see fit.

    January 1, 2013 at 4:56 pm | Report abuse |
  2. mercy

    Its normal for people to express sympathy in this way. I would rather see those donations go to needy people around the country instead. The bereaved are not even in the mindset of receiving tese goods. I've lost numerous immediate family members, so I know the feeling those first few weeks, months, sometimes years. Furthermore, these kids are from well off families who would probably prefer that the gifts go to others instead.

    January 2, 2013 at 4:39 pm | Report abuse |
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