I’m going to ask you to do something.

I’m going to ask you to consider doing something. Something I wouldn’t normally ask.

Because normally I like to think of KOAB as a low-key, fun place. A place where you come to save some money, get some budgeting inspiration, and maybe try some new kosher recipes.

But I’m not feeling very fun and low-key tonight. The tragedy in Newtown, CT is pulling at my heart. And I know I’m not alone.

So, I want to use this platform to take a moment and ask you to consider giving something – something monetary, if you are at all able – to support these grieving families.

I just looked at the KOAB Facebook wall and realized that there are over 4,200 “fans” of Kosher on a Budget.

If each one of us gave just one dollar — surely you’ve saved $1 by following KOAB, no? – we could provide $4200 to these bereaved families. $4,200 to help pay for the multitude of costs they will incur over the next days, weeks and years.

If each Facebook fan donated $5, that would make $1000 for each bereaved family that lost their precious first grade child.

How many of us have a first grade child? (Or grandchild? Or niece or nephew?)

While we can not help these 26 families with the ultimate price they have paid, we can help to defray funeral expenses, travel expenses, meal expenses, counseling expenses. Those are costs that we *can* help to absorb.

There are a number of organizations that have been established to support the Sandy Hook victims’ families.

The United Way of Western Connecticut is one of them.

United Way of Western Connecticut in partnership with Newtown Savings Bank has created the ‘Sandy Hook School Support Fund’ that will be able to provide support services to the families and community that has been affected.

Smaller, more grassroots efforts are also being established to support many of the individual families. One such fund is Noah’s Ark of Hope Fund.

I know about Noah’s Ark of Hope because I (coincidentally) follow sweet Noah Pozner’s aunt, Victoria Haller, on Twitter (her handle is @VDog).

Noah Pozner was among the children who died in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary on Friday, December 14, 2012.  This link has been set up to accept donations to this irrevocable trust specifically for Noah’s surviving siblings, two of whom were also in the school that day, in different classrooms.  

The funds received will be used to provide counseling services, education and basic needs for the children at this time of grief.  Noah leaves behind his twin sister and three other siblings, and is the youngest victim in this horrible tragedy.

Also, please consider sharing your love and appreciation for your children’s teachers tomorrow. Send a note of thanks. Bring in some muffins and coffee. Give them a hug. Thank a Teacher Day is a grassroots effort that was launched over the weekend in response to the courage, love and dedication the teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary demonstrated on Friday.

May the memories of these sweet children and their selfless teachers be a blessing to their families and to all of us.

Charlotte Bacon, age 6
Daniel Barden, age 7
Rachel Davino, age 29
Olivia Engel, age 6
Josephine Gay, age 7
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, age 6
Dylan Hockley, age 6
Dawn Hocksprung, age 47
Madeleine F. Hsu, age 6
Catherine V. Hubbard, age 6
Chase Kowalski, age 7
Jesse Lewis, age 6
James Mattioli, age 6
Grace McDonnell, age 7
Anne Marie Murphy, age 52
Emilie Parker, age 6
Jack Pinto, age 6
Noah Pozner, age 6
Caroline Previdi, age 6
Jessica Rekos, age 6
Avielle Richman, age 6
Lauren Russeau, age 29
Mary Sherlach, age 56
Victoria Soto, age 27
Benjamin Wheeler, age 6
Allison N. Wyatt, age 6

Comments

  1. Mara, As a person sitting in the middle of all of this, just two towns away, with people I know posting pics of these children at their own children’s birthday parties and family events, I can’t thank you enough for this post. I understand the whole world is watching this because of the enormous tragedy that it is, but this tiny little state of Connecticut that we live is in such inexplicable shock. Our state has turned into a media frenzy. Helicopters flying over our towns. Since Friday anytime I hear a siren I panic. There is that group, whose name I refuse to type or say, protesting horrible signs in front of these families that are grieving over the unthinkable. The unimaginable. People who live in the town can’t get down their roads because there are so many people flocking there to see. See what? Families in anguish. In pain. Suffering so deeply to the core.

    This is the most beautiful gesture I have seen. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My child will go back to school tomorrow with police officers outside her school and crisis counselors on hand to help the older children who have heard too much. I hope this is the last tragedy like this that our tiny little state will ever endure. Any state.

    Much love for pointing people in a positive direction to help these families. <3

  2. As always you inspire, Mara! One of the reasons I’m so glad I followed KOAB is that along with all the great deals you pass on, you also bring yiddushkeit to the process. As I’ve said to you before, doing a mitzvah is always a great deal. My heart has been breaking through this and to be able to help in some small way is really good for the soul.

  3. Such a horrible tragedy. I personally think its a little early for all these ‘trusts’ for families. There are so many other things people can do besides send money. Use your voice to speak up for your children. Make the US a safer place to grow up. Write letters to your representatives and senator, write the president! Speak up about gun violence & mental health. There are so many non-profits that already exsist, why do we need 20 more…think big, join forces and make a difference!
    My prayers are with all the families!!

    • Actually, it’s never too early to donate money. The funerals alone will be a huge expense, and the parents will not be able to work for months, at the very least. Imagine if some of them are self-employed. Or have job that can’t or won’t pay them for time off. How will they pay their bills and keep it all together for their other kids? Send money and send it now.

  4. This is very sad and every time I see little Noah’s name I think of my own Noah and how lucky I am and have been giving him a lot of hugs this weekend. It was pretty interesting at 14 (almost 15) for him to realize why and to pick up on the fact that I gave him extra hugs and he has accepted them well for a teen and hugged me back. I totally agree with you and am thinking about the family of Noah and the other children. Thank you for all of your posts and helping others to do mitzvahs. As one of my cousins pointed out to me (and my husband as well in a talk he gave this weekend) look for those who help and for ways to help get through this tragedy. There are always ways to do good deeds-mitzvahs and thank you for pointing this out.

  5. Thank you for this beautiful post, Mara. And thank you for sharing #thankateacher day with your readers. It’s my hope that we’ll share love and joy, appreciation and confidence tomorrow.

  6. Great post Mara. I hope people are inspired to give.

  7. Thank you for your thoughts. I have been overwhelmed by this in a totally different way because, I’m sure, this time it’s about babies. May I make another suggestion? I wrote a note ( first time ever!) to the White House asking for a ban on assault weapons. I think we underestimate our power of speech. If everyone writes, think how powerful that would be?

  8. michelle geil says

    Thank you for making the donation link available to us. I’m sure so many of us have wanted to reach out and give, in addition to our heartfelt prayers, and touch these families and let them know our hearts are with them. I hope it helps the healing process in some small way. Please keep up your good work and know that we appreciate you and all you do for us as well.

Leave a Comment

*