WESTFIELD – This week, students of Sandy Hook Elementary School returned to school just a few weeks after the tragic massacre that took place there.
While Sandy Hook remains closed, an unused school in a neighboring town was opened for the students who are trying to return to what some are calling the new normal.
Parents across the country are hugging their children tighter since the horrific event when 20 children and six school staff were killed by a lone gunman, and they are searching for ways to make sense of it all and find a way to help somehow.
Cher Collins, a mom who works at the Westfield Athenaeum, is one of those parents. While thinking about the tragedy, she looked around her home and noticed the paper chain she and her three year-old daughter had made for Christmas when she realized that a simple thing like that could help.
“I was thinking that I just had to do something and thought it was a great way to express that,” said Collins. “I thought one link didn’t mean anything, but what about 1,000 links.”
Collins brought the idea of making a community chain to Library Director Christopher Lindquist, who gave the go-ahead. Collins said the entire staff brainstormed how a simple paper chain could make an impact, and Links of Love was born.
“Individuals can create a link in the chain with a message – their name, their children’s names, a prayer, or even anonymously – and we will add it to our chain,” Collins said.
The finished product will be presented to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library in Newtown in February.
“We decided to give it to them in February because it is Love Your Library Month,” said Collins. “It was not a natural disaster where people need water and food – they need love and support.”
The Athenaeum has pre-cut paper strips available at the adult reference desk. Visitors are welcome to make links at the library, or create links at home and bring them to the Athenaeum to add to the chain, which is on display.
“We are challenging the community with 1,000 links,” said Collins. “This didn’t just affect the school, it affected the entire community. I understand the town is not accepting gifts any longer, so this is a way to show them we care.”
Links can be added through Feb. 15.
