Newtown Shooting Inspires Butler Woman to Help
Substitute teacher launched effort to send survivors and their families to Disney World.
NORTHERN JERSEY -- Miles away from Newtown, CT, a New Jersey resident said she felt personally impacted by the elementary school shooting in which 20 children were killed last month.
Sarah Cox, 22, a substitute teacher in Butler, said she spends a lot of time around children who are similar ages to those who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
"I enjoy working with the younger kids, I love children and I could not believe it," Cox said. "I'm sure everyone in America's heart is breaking for these families."
While Cox has spent some time reflecting on the tragedy, she has also spent time planning for a way to bring some sort of relief to the survivors and their relatives. Cox said she instantly thought of Disney and launched the Dreams for Disney Facebook page.
"I am an avid fan of Disney [World] and we went and we loved it," she said. "It's just an amazing place and I was like, 'Well maybe there would be a way we could send all the kids.'"
Cox is working hard to promote Dreams for Disney and hoping the page becomes viral. At that point, Cox is hopeful a celebrity or national organization, or possibly even the Disney corporation, will catch wind of the cause and decide to fully fund the trips.
"I thought, 'Maybe, if somehow it gets viral, maybe Disney will see it and make it happen for these children since they've gone through so much,'" Cox said.
Cox said she has seen this work before, and referenced singer Taylor Swift agreeing to go to prom with a young man after a viral social media campaign reached her.
"I see a lot of instances where that happened, maybe it could happen this way," she said.
Cox's intention is for at least all of the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School to be sent on a trip to Disney World. Depending on funding, she said she would also like to see the opportunity opened up to faculty members of the school and anyone else in the community who was affected.
So far, Dreams for Disney has 38 "likes." Cox said the more likes and "shares," the better the chance the page will be noticed.
See the Dreams for Disney Facebook page here.
Deborah Cox
12:04 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
This is an amazing girl. She is a caring person who thinks of others before herself Sarah is capable of doing anything she puts her mind to and she is very determined to help anyway she can. Her heart just like others go out to all who were effected by this horrific tragedy. Dreams do come true especially in Disney!
Monroe Carrier
12:06 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Since she is so amazing, she should fund this venture herself and not rely on the help of others who have already given to efforts for these kids so she can look like a hero on the funding of other people.
Mark
5:06 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Monroe Carrier, are you kidding me? You think she should pay for them to go. She is asking for help for children that she does not know. She is not asking for them to send her. She is doing more than you have. So why don't you keep your complaining to yourself.
Debbie O'Neill
1:20 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Monroe - that was a really despicable comment to make about someone who is obviously trying to make a positive difference. Fortunately, my guess is that most people who are unfortunate enough to read your comment will no doubt be just as disgusted as I am. I hope you find something in the New Year to change to your attitude.
joyce
5:23 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I believe that the Newtown Shootings were very horrific. I believe that Miss Cox has very good intentions. At one point the Newtown people were begging for everyone to leave them alone so they can get back to some normalcy. Many children have to endure death, all over the world It is a part of life. My son died in a horrific accident. My daughter who was only 1 year behind him. She had to go thru the death, the stories of what happened, viewing, funeral, her loss, for the rest of her life. She had to live without her best friend and buddy. I don't think Disney would have helped her with her depression. She would have missed him, not being there with her. She would have felt very guilty. Grief is something that has to be handled individually. Everyone is different. Grief sometimes takes a long time. Routine helps, Their parents are there for them. Disney is not the answer. Why not say a prayer for all involved. Life will mend itself eventually. One who knows.
Don Doe
8:14 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The shooting and the lost of life in Newton is no doubt a horrific event and a parents worse nightmare. However thousands of children die every year from swimming pool drownings (while the parents are home),some form of physical abuse at the hands of either a stranger or relative,killed by a drunk driver,victims of gang violence,and the list goes on. Why arent these kids and loved ones left behind given an opportunity like this.....all for one and one for all. We all belong to the same race,the human race. Lets really help each other and not sort out the tragedies and prioritize them because of the politcal value some politicians hope to gain by this event. Losing a child is the worse thing that could ever happen to a parent and my heart and prays go out to all parents who has lost a child I wish we could help to ease the pain of them all.
Barbara Donato
9:42 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I think she is admirable and I hope her dream for these families reach fruition.
DREAMS FOR DISNEY! Send Sandy Hook Victims to Disney!
12:49 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
GREAT NEWS! I just got off the phone with someone who read my e-mail to Disney. They were from ESPN, which is head quartered in Bristol, CT, which is very close to Newtown, only about 40 minutes away. ESPN is owned by the Walt Disney Corporation. She stated, "We have been communicating with school, government, and non-profit leaders about a variety of ideas and opportunites [to pursue] when appropriate." They are working things out with the Sandy Hook school, government, and non-profit organizations to make something happen! They want to react when appropriate, and were unable to explain what exactly they plan on doing, as there are SO many ideas filtering in every day! I will remain in contact with them in the future, so they know that we are here to work with them in any way possible to help them with whatever they decide! I will keep you posted, but as for now, THANK YOU everyone for helping make this cause known! It is GREAT to hear from an actual person, someone who has been near Newtown and spoken with Sandy Hook officials, instead of receiving the same letter over and over again. Please know, they are doing all they can to figure out a plan of how to help these families. Also know that these things take time to plan out, as they are keeping the feelings of these families their top priority. I hope the Sandy Hook families know that we are all keeping them in our thoughts and hearts during this tragic time.
joyce
12:08 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013
Why don't you go to a real grief meeting. They are all around. Every town has them.
You will see that a trip to Disney is the last thing they need. Money is the last thing they need. Why not ask the government, and non profit organizations to help the children that are alive, that need food and re-enforcement to just go on living. They number in the thousands. What about the children from Sandy, no place to live, no regular food, no clothes. parents that are depressed and lost. They are the ones who need help. all is lost from the storm. You are going after the wrong group to help.