I live in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. My quaint little New England town is a member of club that no one wants to be in. Our school shooting was on December 14, 2012, almost a decade ago, but we still have an open wound. Our town was all decked out and ready for the holidays when this tragedy occurred. The juxtaposition of antique-style lampposts wrapped in evergreen garland surrounded by multiple news trucks with satellite transmitters on their roofs was surreal. For years, the air was heavy every December, and not the joyous, wondrous time it had been in the past.

I do my bit to try to bring some of the magic of December back to our town and put out a free map to the best holiday homes in Newtown so everyone, from toddlers and senior citizens, can enjoy the lights and sights of the season from the warmth and comfort of their cars. However, there’s a nonprofit organization in my town that year-round has taken up the cause of helping our town heal. Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) provides mental health services and counseling for families and individuals. They also provide year-round activities for all ages, interests, and abilities.

Every year NYFS holds the “Festival of Trees”. Individuals, businesses, and service organizations all donate the time and talent to decorate Christmas trees, centerpieces, and holiday decorations to be raffled off in a beautiful fundraiser.

Although I have donated decorated trees many years, I found my most popular donation was the old children’s sled I spray-painted bright red, and decorated with a bow. Not only is it easy for me to transport to the festival (and for the winner to get home), it was quick and easy to do. The hardest thing is to find old sleds, but I collect them from thrift stores throughout the year whenever I find them.

Healing Holiday Sled