From bake sales to basketball tournaments, there’s been an outpouring of support for the Newtown community from across the state, nation, and world.
The Sandy Hook Memorial and Scholarship Fund established by the CEA Board of Directors continues to receive many generous donations from CEA and NEA members, as well as from many members of the public. The fund will go toward scholarships at the University of Connecticut for family members of those killed in the Newtown shooting and to create a sculpture memorializing the lives lost in the tragedy.
Students at Darien and New Canaan High Schools dedicated their annual basketball tournament to the victims of Sandy Hook. The students raised $2,100 for the Sandy Hook Memorial and Scholarship Fund.
More than 100 boys and girls from four area high schools—Staples, Greenwich, Darien, and New Canaan—competed in the 19th annual Tony LaVista Memorial Holiday Basketball Tournament, held during the last week of December.
The tournament honors Tony LaVista, an outstanding teacher, administrator, and coach in New Canaan and Darien who died unexpectedly in 1995. Each year, proceeds from the tournament are donated to charity.
“This year we couldn’t think of a more fitting way to remember our friend Tony than to donate the tournament proceeds to the Sandy Hook Memorial and Scholarship Fund in his name,” said Jay Egan, director of athletics at New Canaan High School.
“We are truly thankful for all the donations to the fund, but especially those that come from students,” says CEA President Sheila Cohen. “It’s heartwarming to see children getting involved and doing something special to help the community, state, and nation heal from this unimaginable tragedy.”
CEA has set a fundraising goal of at least $1 million for the Sandy Hook Memorial and Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made online on the CEA website. Checks payable to the Connecticut Education Foundation may also be sent to
Connecticut Education Foundation
Sandy Hook Memorial and Scholarship Fund
Capitol Place, Suite 500
21 Oak Street
Hartford, CT 06106
