Washington responds: prayer vigil Wednesday, memorial fund open at local bank

Last week's shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. has prompted Washington community leaders to open a memorial fund and to hold a prayer vigil Wednesday.

"Following the shooting, I had a lot of people asking me, 'What can we do,'" said Washington Mayor Gary Manier at the Washington City Council meeting held Monday.

On Friday morning, suspect Adam Lanza entered the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. and opened fire, killing 20 children and six adults.

The Washington Ministerial Association will hold a candlelight prayer vigil at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 on the Washington Square for the victims and families as well as for the entire Newtown community.

Manier said the prayer vigil gives the Washington community a chance to come together and show their support to the people in one community dealing with unbelievable grief.

Also, the city of Washington has partnered with the Washington Community Bank to create the Sandy Hook Memorial Fund. Contributions can be taken to any Hometown Community Bank location through the end of the year. Washington Community Bank, 1895 Washington Road, Washington, is a division of Morton Community Bank.

"We're are a long way away, so we can't give hugs, but maybe this can go a long way in helping the healing," Manier said.