Sandy Hook, Newtown donations: Ways to help families, community after shooting

If you feel a desire to help after the murders of 20 children and 6 adults inside a Connecticut school Friday, here are three organizations that are accepting donations specifically for that purpose:

The United Way of Western Connecticut has created the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Its stated purpose is to provide support services to the families and community that has been affected.

"To several staff, volunteers and contributors, Newtown is home," the organization wrote. "We will stand with the community and everyone affected directly and indirectly by this tragic event as we face the days and weeks ahead."

Another group accepting donations through the Internet is the Newtown Parent Connection . The organization says all donations will be donated directly to those affected by the shooting.

Newtown Youth and Family Services said that its Caroline's Gift fund will accept donations and relay the funds directly to those affected by the shooting. That particular fund, they said, generally offers financial support to families who are dealing with a child’s terminal or catastrophic illness.

Donations for that fund are accepted through the mail.

You can also provide financial support to the families for funeral services and a memorial to the town by donating to the Newtown Memorial Fund .

In addition, Valley resident Joy Holsinger is holding a "Snowflake" drive. She's inviting the public to send school supplies and create snowflakes to decorate Sandy Hook Elementary School's new home.

Snowflakes can be mailed to:

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

Snowflakes must be mailed by January 12, 2013.