Newtown Overwhelmed With Gifts

Officials in Newtown, are asking people to stop sending gifts to the grief-stricken community after the school shooting that took the lives of 20 elementary school children and six adults. They're deeply grateful, but can't handle the donation deluge, town officials said.

The town's first selectman, police chief and schools superintendent made the request on Wednesday through an editor at The Newtown Bee newspaper.

"The outpouring generosity behind incoming donated goods is overwhelming (and) may quickly overrun the capacity of the community to manage the goods," a post of the town Web site says.

They said that since a gunman, identified as Adam Lanza, killed 20 first-graders and six educators on Dec. 14, gifts from school supplies to artwork have arrived in such numbers they've overwhelmed the small community's ability to process them.

The officials are asking people to temporarily stop sending gifts. Once they process the "warehouses full of items," they'll detail the best ways to help.

Meanwhile, the United Way of Western Connecticut announced on Wednesday that a fund established after the shooting to support Newtown has grown to $3.5 million.

You can make a $10 donation by texting Newtown to 80888.

Check donations may be mailed to:
 
Sandy Hook School Support Fund
c/o Newtown Savings Bank
39 Main Street, Newtown CT  06470
 
Or may be dropped off at any Newtown Savings Bank branch location. For questions please call 800-461-0672

You can donate by credit card online here.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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