To the Editor:

On behalf of the Newtown Foundation (the charitable arm of the Newtown Action Alliance), I would like to thank all our supporters for attending our First Annual Breakfast Fundraiser for the National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence that was held at the Rock Ridge Country Club on Saturday. 

Near the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, the Third Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence is being held in Washington DC on December 9, 2015 at 7 pm at St Marks Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill. We invite the members of our community to join us.  For more information, please visit www.newtownaction.org.

Last year during the second anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, the families of victims of gun violence, survivors and advocates from 18 states joined us in Washington DC for the National Vigil to continue to shine a light on the epidemic of gun violence in our nation. At the same time, over 270 local vigils and events were held in 39 states, Washington DC and Mexico. Hundreds of organizations worked together to change the conversation and to change the culture to end gun violence. 

We thank Tom Sullivan, the father of Alex who was killed in the Aurora Movie Theater, for traveling the distance to share his compelling heartbreaking story and his advocacy work to honor his son. We also thank our keynote speaker Dr Daniel W. Webster, a professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who presented his extensive research information on gun violence. 

A special thank you to First Selectwoman Pat Llodra, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Senator Chris Murphy and Senator Blumenthal for their words of encouragement and support.  We appreciate their strong leadership and their efforts to keep our children, families and communities safe from gun violence.

We thank the following supporters and businesses for their generous donations and in-kind contributions: A New Beginning, Anita Donofrio, Barbara Manville, Barbara Patrick, Barnwood Grill, Blue Colony Diner, Caraluzzi’s, Connecticut Tree Doctor, Cover Two Restaurant, Dave Stowe, Dunkin Donuts, Fig's Wood Fire Bistro, Fusion Restaurant, Gary Allen, Greg and Diana Pategas, Hero For Men, Jenny Lando-American Museum of Natural History, Jerry Cole, Jim Lewis Carpentry, Klickers, My Place Restaurant, Newbury Place & Chakra Massage, Newtown General Store, Paul Morton Jewelers , Physical Medicine and Family Wellness Center, Ricci's Salon Soho Pizza, Sue Roman and the Laurel Rock Company. 

Congratulation to the following heroes for receiving the #HonorWithAction Awards and the Certificate of Recognition from Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty:  Abbey Clements, Donna Dees-Thomases, Donna Soto, Gilles Rousseau, Jillian Soto, Marie Delus, Mathew Soto, September Chatfield, Tom Campbell, Tom Sullivan, Tyrek Marquez and Warren Hardy Jr.

We are looking forward to continuing to work with the families, survivors and advocates from cities and towns throughout our nation to end gun violence. 

Po Murray

Chairman

The Newtown Foundation

Newtown Action Alliance

PO Box 3325, Newtown                   September 16, 2015