Sandy Hook Promise, the nonprofit organization created by community members of Newtown in the aftermath of 12/14, launched a Mother’s Day campaign on May 9 asking the public to make a promise to help prevent violence in communities across the country by signing a digital Mother’s Day card.

The card can be found at www.sandyhookpromise.org/mothersday. Sandy Hook Promise encourages the sharing of the digital Mother’s Day card broadly via online and social media.

The card, which is addressed to mothers of Sandy Hook victims and thousands of other mothers who have lost a child to violence in the past year, is intended to honor them as they prepare to face their first Mother’s Day without their children.

“For too many mothers across the country, Mother’s Day is sadly not just a celebration of their motherhood, but also a time to reflect on the lives of the beautiful children they have lost due to violence,” said Tim Makris, executive director of Sandy Hook Promise. “No mother should have to bury her child. That is why this year we are asking the public to stand up across the country and pledge to help prevent more mothers from suffering this senseless loss.”

The digital Mother’s Day card includes hand-selected photos submitted by the mothers of Ana Marquez-Green, age 6; Dylan Hockley, age 6; Daniel Barden, age 7; and Ben Wheeler, age 6 — four victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy.

The card reads “Ana, Dylan, Daniel and Ben can’t wish their Moms a Happy Mother’s Day this year or ever again.

“For them, and thousands of children across America whose lives were cut short by violence this past year, please sign this Mother’s Day card and offer your love and support.

“To their Moms,

“We mourn your loss and promise to do all we can to prevent tragedies like this from happening ever again.”

In addition to its work promoting common sense reforms to the nation’s gun laws, Sandy Hook Promise is addressing the issue of violence on many fronts. The group has partnered with leaders in the technology community to launch an initiative to spur innovations in gun safety technologies, mental health, and school safety.

Sandy Hook Promise is also beginning to work with other communities around the country that are interested in working to keep families safer from violence.

Sandy Hook Promise has a dual mission: first, to support those affected by the tragedy and help the community heal; and second, to support comprehensive solutions to make the country safer from similar acts of violence. The organization promotes a renewed national dialogue around issues of mental health, school safety, and gun responsibility that respects the rights that the Second Amendment bestows on individuals. To build support for national change, Sandy Hook Promise is asking all Americans to join with them in promising to make the changes necessary to prevent future tragedies.

Individuals can make the Sandy Hook Promise and learn more about the organization at www.SandyHookPromise.org. SHP is organized as a non-profit corporation, with a 501(c)(3) foundation as well as a 501(c)(4) action fund.

Green Eggs & Ham For All

A few local restaurants will be serving their own version of green eggs and ham this weekend. The special offering, supported by Sandy Hook Promise, is being done in honor of Mother’s Day and also of the families and staff of Sandy Hook School.

Cherries Cupcakes, at 150 South Main Street, plans to offer special cupcakes all weekend. They will, according to event coordinator Sally Lynn MacDonald, be topping cupcakes with dipped pretzels to represent bacon, and another topping to look like eggs.

On Saturday, May 11, Carminuccio’s (76 South Main Street), figs (105 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook), Fusion 25 (123 South Main Street), Pub 25 American Grille (266 South Main Street, within Plaza South), and 160 Main Street (the former Mona Lisa) will all have special offerings added to their regular menu.

On Mother’s Day Sunday, The Inn at Newtown will feature crab avocado benedict on its brunch menu, as well as green waffles.

“It’s a community hug, just something fun,” said Mrs MacDonald. “The whole point is for the restaurants to be creative, and for everyone else to just have fun.”