Dear Aurora Rise Family,

There are no words sufficient to describe what we’re all feeling over the senseless violence that took place in CT. Yet another community has been initiated into this grieving family, and our hearts go out to the victims, the families, and the entire community of Newtown.

We’ve had several people reach out to us, asking if there are ways to help. We’ve listed resources below for anyone who wants to help out in CT. But, first, you are all amazing. The love and support that people have shown not only to the Aurora victims, but to any other fellow human in need, reaffirms our faith in humanity.

The coming weeks in Newtown will be all too familiar to those of us in Aurora. We implore you to reach out, talk to someone if you need to, and deal with your grief in a healthy manner.  We’re all in this together.

Please note that Aurora Rise is not endorsing any, or affiliated with, any of the organizations listed below. We’re just passing along information in the hopes that we can all do our part to help.

United Way of Western Connecticut
United Way of Western Connecticut  and Newtown Savings Bank have created the “‘Sandy Hook School Support Fund” to provide support services to the families and affected community. Their announcement can be read here. Checks may be mailed to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St., Newtown CT 06470. You can also donate by credit card here: https://newtown.uwwesternct.org/

Newtown Youth and Family Services
Local Newtown organization Newtown Youth and Family is holding special weekend hours on Saturday, December 15th and Sunday, December 16th from 9-4 p.m. for Emergency Support Services. According to their website, all donations made to Newtown Youth and Family Services will be donated directly to those affected by the shooting. Donations can be sent via “Caroline’s Gift,” a fund set up in the 1990s by a local family in memory of their daughter. (The Caroline’s Gift fund offers financial support to families who are dealing with a child’s terminal or catastrophic illness.) Newtown Youth and Family Services is located at 15 Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482. Donations can be sent directly to Newtown Youth and Family Services online at http://www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/donate.php. For more details on how to donate, call (203) 426-8103 or visit http://www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/

Newtown Parent Connection
Newtown Parent Connection is accepting donations on their website http://www.newtownparentconnection.org/ (“donate” button on right-hand side)  Donations can be made via Paypal or any major credit card, and the organization says all donations will be donated directly to those affected by the shooting. For further details, call (203) 270-1600.

Scares That Care
We’ve also learned Scares That Care has set up a special fund to help the Newtown families. From the Scares That Care Facebook page: “We know that we have the best supporters in the world. We know that everyone is deeply saddened by the events that have taken place in Connecticut. Yes – we enjoy the ‘Things that go bump in the night.’ We at ‘Scares That Care!’ are setting up a special fund to assist those in this dire time of need. Every single cent donated to this fund will go to aid those affected by this devastating event. This includes our auctions from now through January 31st. It’s time, folks – for us to ‘Bump Back.’ Your donation is tax deductible, and we are a 501(c)(3) Charity. Please send your donation via Paypal to: scares_that_care@yahoo.com. PLEASE PUT THE WORDS “FOR THE FAMILIES” IN YOUR COMMENTS – THIS WAY, WE WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR DONATION GOES TO THIS SPECIAL CAUSE. We will keep a running tally of the donations, and thank you all. Please share this with every fan of the genre you know!“

If you learn of any more options, please email them to us and we’ll do what we can to get the word out.

Thanks, and much love to you all.

-Aurora Rise