Support for Newtown, CT, School Shooting Victims Pours In

The Newtown, CT, shootings have sparked an outpouring of support from across the country and the world.

In New Hampshire, a student created a makeshift candlelight memorial for the victims.

On Long Island, a neighborhood turned off its holiday lights in the wake of the shooting that killed , at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday.

A blogger from Atlanta wrote a riveting Christmas poem in which he asked Santa to "take my presents and change them into hugs. And throw them down their chimneys with all your Christmas love." More than 1,000 Facebook users have shared Brandon Kelley's post.

As of Sunday, more than 1,400 Patch users have posted this four-word comment—"I want to help"—on an article created for people seeking to be auto-notified about ways they can support the devastated community of Newtown.

The offers and expressions of support have been heartfelt.

Virginia's Emily R. Doll wrote a letter to Newtown. In it, she says that while she's never been there, "my heart shattered for you today in a way I can’t comprehend."

An American artist from 3,000 miles away in the far reaches of the Pacific Northwest wants to draw a keepsake portrait for every victim's family. 

And then there is Alysa White of Illinois, who created the Facebook group "Teddys for Newtown," which already has nearly 1,000 likes.

The 20-year old's simple, but loving, goal—collect Teddy bears for each of the children who attend Sandy Hook Elementary School.