Newtown overwhelmed by gifts

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NEWTOWN, Conn., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Officials in Newtown, Conn., have asked for a temporary halt of donations of teddy bears and other physical goods in the wake of a school mass shooting.

Gifts, school supplies and clothing have arrived by the truckload since Dec. 14 when 26 people were killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, officials said. Officials ran out of space to store the items at Town Hall and they are now filling two warehouses, the Hartford (Conn.) Courant said in an editorial Thursday.

"Our hearts are warmed by the outpouring of love and support from all corners of our country and world," said Newtown First Selectman Patricia Llodra. "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 Dec. 14.

"Thank you for understanding our message of appreciation and our need to now defer gifts to others in need," she said, as quoted by CNN.

The Courant suggested those wishing to express sorrow for the killings should donate to a local United Way, Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club or other reputable charity.

For those who want to give money directly to a Newtown charity, a fund has been set up at Newtown Savings Bank. Donations can be made to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main St., Newtown, Conn., 06470. Online gifts can be made at https://newtown.uwwesternct.org.