Neighboring Monroe supports Sandy Hook

MONROE, Conn. (WTNH) -- In the middle of the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, the entire downtown is one memorial. And while it's wonderful to have everyone in Sandy Hook in everyone's thoughts and prayers, in Sandy Hook and neighboring Monroe, people are not only praying, but doing as well.

It was not a big group, but three women, praying in a firehouse parking lot, represent the feelings of a whole town.

"I'm really proud to be a Monroe citizen. I really am," said Penny Pompa.

In Newtown's neighbor Monroe, green balloons are everywhere in honor of the Sandy Hook victims.

Lori Guerrera's son was friends with 7-year-old Chase Kowalski.

"He was the sweetest boy you could ever imagine, you know how some boys are, could be a little boisterous. He was the sweetest thing that ever lived," Guerrera said.

Like the good neighbors they are, the three women and everyone in Monroe, want to do everything they can for the people of Sandy Hook.

"I really believe that in my heart that I'm trying to look at the good of what's come," said Guerrera. "And the good for me is that I focus on there are children that are alive from this."

Of course they echo the sentiments of everybody. Everybody wants to do whatever to help the survivors of Sandy Brook Elementary, but in Monroe they are lucky they have the proximity of being next door and they also have Chalk Hill school, a vacant middle school just waiting for someone to move in.

"I just think that's just a provision from God that school is available," said Sarah Purdy.

Crews are renovating Chalk Hill right now and classes should start in January. At a time when we are all focused on the evil of last Friday, these women know that a greater power will triumph.

"In the end Jesus is coming back, and Satan will be defeated and evil is going to be defeated and there will be no more tears and no more crying," Purdy said.