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United Way Of Western Connecticut Working With Newtown Leaders To Help Begin Healing

NEWTOWN, CT(CBSNewYork) -- Just hours after Adam Lanza killed twenty-six people at Sandy Hook Elementary School, donors were calling United Way of Western Connecticut offering to help the Newtown community begin the healing process.

"Some of the first phone calls that we received here were from our colleagues who have been in similar tragedies, and they shared with us their best practices," Isabel Almeida, Executive VP of Work Place Development and Marketing at United Way of Western Connecticut, told WCBS 880.

The United Way is now working with a committee of residents and local leaders to decide how to spend money that was donated in the wake of the shooting.

"We just don't know what the needs are going to be, we don't know if the community is going to need to build a whole new school," Almeida said.

In a statement on their website the United Way said the following:

United Way extends our most sincere condolences and prayers to all those families affected by the devastating events in Newtown/Sandy Hook, Connecticut. While the eyes of the world may be on Newtown/Sandy Hook, to several staff, volunteers and contributors, Newtown is home. We will stand with the community and everyone affected directly and indirectly by this tragic event as we face the days and weeks ahead.

Donations can be mailed to:

Sandy Hook School Support Fund

c/o Newtown Savings Bank

39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470

They may also be dropped off at any Newtown Savings Bank location. Call 800-461-0672 for more information. Interested donors can also contact United Way and speak to David Deschenes at (203) 792-5330 x239 or Isabel Almeida at (203) 792-5330 x106

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