This afternoon while the toddler napped, my 11-year-old and I shared the last of the Christmas rootbeer and  snipped bits of paper into festive snowflakes.

Except they weren’t very festive.

For one thing, our paper was too thick and our scissors too dull. The resulting flakes will most likely be described as awkward. Festive would be generous. But perfection was not the point. We made them for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary. It was an act of remembrance for those who lost their lives, yes. But it was also an act of compassion for those who didn’t; those who will be returning to school in January missing 26 from their community.

The National PTA and Connecticut PTSA are asking for help in creating a winter wonderland for the students of Sandy Hook, who will soon be returning to school in a new building. Parent volunteers will be decorating the halls of the school with as many unique snowflakes as possible. To contribute, make and send your snowflakes to the address below by January 12, 2013.

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

Financial donations are also being accepted.