Thread by @ChrisMurphyCT

I am constantly in awe of how the Sandy Hook families, amidst their grief, are making positive change.

In doing so, they keep the memories of those we lost alive.

I encourage you to share the stories of those lost, and, if you can, help support their work.

Six-year old Emilie Parker loved art and reading.

Her legacy lives on through the emilieparkerfund.com, which funds art programs in communities and schools, and safeandsoundschools.org

After Daniel Barden lost his life, his parents started whatwoulddanieldo.com to inspire others to share his kindness, compassion, selflessness, gratitude and appreciation for life.

Daniel’s father, Mark, co-founded sandyhookpromise.org – a group I work closely with.

Jesse Lewis was just six, but in the last moments of his life, he tried to save others by yelling to his classmates to run.

Jesse's mom, Scarlett, founded jesselewischooselove.org to create safer schools through a no-cost, lifespan social and emotional learning platform.

Josephine “Joey” Gay was non-verbal, but she communicated with “her eyes, her gentle hugs, her sweet spirit, and her little hands.”

Her family honors her by supporting families caring for a loved one with autism –flutiefoundation.org/joeys-fund-fam… – and through safeandsoundschools.org

Ana Grace Márquez-Greene had a passion for music.

The Ana Grace Project, which her mother founded, is dedicated to promoting love, community and connection for every child and family.

anagraceproject.org

"With a spitfire personality, and a love of laughter, Avielle was rarely without a giant grin and often barefoot."

Her parents started aviellefoundation.org to prevent violence and build compassion through neuroscience research, community engagement, and education.

Vicki Soto "prided herself on being the 'cool' teacher at school and loved to make the kids smile and laugh."

Her family set up the vickisotomemorial.com to give back to students in the Stratford, CT community.

Chase Kowalski was happy when he was active – swimming, biking, playing baseball with his dad.

His parents started cmakfoundation.org to support programs and initiatives that encourage personal improvement, healthy lifestyles and strong family and communities.

Those who knew Dylan Hockley remember "his smile. His laugh. His love of bouncing on trampolines and eating chocolate. His beautiful eyes and mischievous grin."

His memory lives on through dylanswingsofchange.org and sandyhookpromise.org

Six-year old Jessica Rekos had a passion for Orca whales and horses. She spent hours and hours reading about and researching them.

After her life was taken, her parents set up jessicarekos.org to share those passions with others.

When Caroline Previdi was five, she offered up everything in her piggy bank to make sure those in need could have presents under their tree.

The carolineprevidifoundation.org provides support to children who lack the financial resources to be involved in extracurricular activities.

Jack Pinto had a love for life, his family, and for sports.

His parents, in partnering with kidsinthegame.org, hope to give underprivileged kids across the country the opportunity to enjoy team sports like he did.

Catherine Hubbard wanted animals to know “that they could trust her and that she would keep them safe from harm."

The cvhfoundation.org is dedicated to fostering care for animals, wonder for the outdoors and a sense of discovery.

Charlotte Bacon “loved Tae Kwon Do, the color pink and any animal she ever came into contact with.”

charlottehelenbaconfoundation.org seeks to share Charlotte’s passion, kindness, and tender care for animals, children and families.

Lauren Rousseau was an educator who was thrilled to have landed a position at Sandy Hook.

The Lauren Rousseau Memorial Scholarship is rewarded to someone studying elementary education at the University of Bridgeport.

bridgeport.edu/academics/scho…

Mary Sherlach, a school psychologist at Sandy Hook, devoted herself to helping children.

Her work continues through Mary’s Fund – set up to further her mission of offering mental health services to kids and teens.

communityfoundationsj.org/fundraising/ma…

Grace Audrey McDonnell loved art and dreamed of living in Martha's Vineyard as a painter.

To honor her life, her family started the Grace McDonnell Memorial Fund to support young artists and art programs for kids.

Ben Wheeler wanted three careers: architect, paleontologist and lighthouse keeper.

benslighthouse.org helps young people develop the self-awareness, empathy and social connections they need to do good in the world.

One could find Olivia Engel "twirling in a pink tutu in dance class, developing her swing on the tennis court, kicking the winning soccer goal, drawing, painting and gluing things in art class.”

Her family encourages donations in her honor to newtownparkandbark.org

Noah Pozner "was energy in motion. His zest for life was contagious. He was endlessly inquisitive, always wanting to know the why and how of things.”

His family has asked for donations to honrnetwork.org

James Mattioli's family remembers him for his love of school, friends, family and being outside.

His family encourages donations to the James R. Mattioli Memorial Fund at: C/O Newtown Savings Bank; 39 Main Street Newtown, CT 06470

Sandy Hook Elementary School principal Dawn Hochsprung was a devoted educator, wife, mother and grandmother. She died trying to protect her students.

The Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung Education Scholarship Program has been set up in her honor.

Madeleine Hsu's family remembers her for "always running...never walking but sometimes dancing, skipping and hopping to whatever you were going to do next."

Donations can be made to to the Madeleine Hsu Memorial Fund.

Rachel D’Avino was a behavioral therapist who dedicated herself to helping children and adults with autism.

Since her life was taken, her loved ones have raised money for autismspeaks.org

Allison Wyatt "loved her family and teachers especially, but would often surprise us with random acts of kindness.”

Her family has set up the allisonwyattmemorialfund.org

Anne Marie Murphy reportedly died cradling her student, Dylan Hockley.

Her family has asked for donations to autismspeaks.org