On Saturday, the children of Newtown were showered with gifts that seemed to have no end. Recently on December 14, twenty year old Adam Lanza opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children and six employees, including his mother who was a teacher at the school. Soon after this tragic event, Adam Lanza committed suicide and the motivation for this horrendous event remains unknown.
From all over the United States, the children of Newtown were given various gifts ranging from Barbie dolls to soccer balls as a token of the sorrow felt by the world due to the recent tragedy. To many, these gifts were how outsiders could reach out to and console those stricken sorrow by this event.
All of Newtown’s children were invited to Edmond Town Hall, where they could choose a toy. All toys were inspected in case of bombs and after the safety of these gifts were confirmed; the children were free to choose any gift they wanted. At the town hall building, the basement was overflowing with gifts, with piles of dolls, games, and other countless donations. The state of the basement, which made it seem like a toy store, attests to the outpouring gifts from toy stores, organizations, and numerous individuals around the world who also mourn at this tragedy. Many also sent envelopes stuffed with cash to pay for coffee or sandwiches at the stores of Newtown.
The Postal Service also experienced a surplus in mail. They reported a 6 fold increase in mail in the town and set up a unique post office to handle the incoming mail. Many letters came with decorations and hearts drawn by other children who lament this tragedy.
The children were also entertained by clowns and jugglers and a dunk tank was set up outside. Even Santa Clause was present at this event and high school students were offering arts and crafts.
Sadly, regardless of the efforts made by many to enliven the mood of Newtown, the fact remains that the 6 employees and 20 children lost their lives due to the shootout. Many of the decease still are being buried and mourned and many have place flowers, candles, and toys at the makeshift memorials that have appeared all over Newtown. Many other similarly try to join the cause by stopping by the Edmond Town Hall to drop off food, toys or cash.
