Conn. teachers to raise $1m for Sandy Hook fund

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut Education Association has announced a $1 million fundraising drive for the University of Connecticut's Sandy Hook Memorial Scholarship Fund and to create a permanent monument honoring the 20 children and 6 educators killed in the Newtown shooting.

The CEA, which represents 43,000 teachers, has established a memorial and scholarship fund through its nonprofit Connecticut Education Foundation. Money received will go to UConn's effort.

CEA President Sheila Cohen says, "We hope the fund will provide some small solace in the months and years ahead."

UConn's fund will help cover college costs for the siblings of those killed in the assault, dependents of the educators who died and students currently enrolled at the elementary school who are later accepted at UConn. It has already received nearly $700,000.