Officials discuss $8.5M Sandy Hook School Support Fund

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Since the Newtown tragedy occurred last month, millions of dollars have been donated to help in the recovery effort. On Friday officials addressed the best uses for those funds.

Newtown 2nd Selectman Will Rogers, former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, and United Way of Western CT official Kim Morgan discussed dealing with the millions donated to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund in a press conference Friday.

Rogers first explained that a transition team had been formed, with the primary purpose being to create a charitable vehicle that could serve as the recipient of the funds presently being collected.

That charitable vehicle was designed to address both short-term and long-term needs of the individuals and community arising from the tragedy.

Rogers said once a foundation is created the transition team will no longer exist. However, Lieberman, one of the current transition team members, will continue to work with the foundation.

One of the keys to the foundation will be guaranteed public input in the distribution process.

According to Rogers, "Lieberman has a wealth of experience, specifically we're looking for the experience he acquired in the dark days after 9-11."

When asked to help, Lieberman said he "not only felt honored, but felt a sense of duty."

Lieberman said the transition team wants to quickly turn the responsibilities to a "broad-base, community foundation, which will be transparent, all inclusive to members of the community."

During the press conference, Lieberman said that to care for the survivors and the victims' families is the most important aspect. The second, he said, was to take action to make sure nothing like this happens again.

Lieberman then gave an example of a piece of advice he was given as a child, "life will always at some point knock us down, life will present problems to us that we don't anticipate...the point of the advice is that life will present us tragedies and the question is how we respond to them."

According to Morgan, the Sandy Hook School Support Fund is currently at $8.5 million.

"United Way from day one saw its role as a receiving vehicle and a guardian to get these dollars to the community," Morgan said.

Morgan noted that the United Way is not charging any fees for their assistance.

"Our concern is that the intent of the funds be maintained," said Morgan.

Additionally, the United Way is providing $200,000, which is separate from the Sandy Hook fund, for the immediate needs of the victims' families.

Morgan said those immediate needs include financial hardship for those who are unable to return to work, uncovered costs for mental health, counseling, and youth activities to help the children heal. She said approximately 75 percent of the $200,000 will be used for financial hardship and mental health.

They spent about $20,000 for 2 way radios for the teachers.

"They wanted that to feel secure and to be able to communicate with 1st responders directly so we committed to help fund that," said Morgan.

They want public input on how the $8.5 million will be spent. Morgan says speaking with other grief stricken towns like Columbine, Colorado, mental health will be top priority.

"We know we're looking at depression, divorce and substance abuse. These are all things that other communities have unfortunately experienced and we want to walk into this with eyes open and hopefully prevent what other communities have experienced," said Morgan.