While residents in Newtown, Conn., begin to heal after Friday’s mass shooting at an elementary school, Williamsburg’s New Town business community is organizing a fundraising event for the affected families at the end of the month.
On Dec. 29, families can enjoy live music — featuring performances from local musicians Johnny St. Clair and John Spence — from 4 to 8 p.m. and food from 5 to 7 p.m. in New Town’s Legacy Hall and Sullivan Square. The fundraiser will also feature a bounce house, cotton candy machine and the skating rink, among other kid-friendly activities.
Donations for the New Town “We Care” Fund will be collected through payments for food and raffles.
All proceeds will be donated to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, a co-op created by the United Way of Western Connecticut and Newtown Savings Bank aimed at providing support services for the families and community.
“It’s not about getting our business name out there. We want it to be an outlet for families to come out and have a nice time with their own family and be able to benefit another town. It’s all good for everyone,” said Scott Grafton, owner of Ironbound Gym in New Town.
Grafton received a suggestion from Mike Putt, a Realtor with Old Point Realty, that New Town host a benefit for the town that shares its name as it heals from the mass shooting that killed 27 people.
Grafton, New Town special events coordinator Catherine Upton and Elaine Obie of Nationwide Insurance in New Town have taken the lead in planning the fundraiser, but Grafton emphasized the importance of the New Town business community’s generosity in making it happen.
Planning for the event began Monday afternoon. By Tuesday, more than 20 businesses had agreed to participate, four restaurants agreed to donate food and more are expected to commit soon.
“The response has been overwhelming. We haven’t heard ‘no’ yet,” Grafton said. “Right now, the expenses are at zero. Right now, every cent raised will go to Newtown. I’m not a huge person for setting monetary goals on something like this, so our goal is to create an event that has the best potential to raise the most for a very worthy cause. If we can keep our expenses to zero, then anything that comes in is a plus.”
Grafton hopes to get more businesses involved, including those outside of New Town, and noted many businesses can offer their support by simply marketing the event to their customers. Interested businesses can contact 757-453-4241.
Those who cannot attend the “We Care” Benefit may send donations to P.O. Box 5534, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Make checks payable to Sandy Hook School Support Fund Co-Op.
