Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Portales' mayor has taken to social media to reach the families of the victims and residents of Newtown, Conn.
Mayor Sharon King announced on her Facebook page Monday that the city will be collecting greeting cards to send to the community ravaged by last week's shooting rampage that left 26 dead, including 20 children.
"We need to let them know we're thinking about it," King said. "It's affected us as a community."
She hopes to collect cards with kind words of sympathy, prayers, compassion and encouragement.
A large bag will be directly under the mayor's Christmas tree in City Hall labeled the "Sandy Hook Project."
"I got a huge sack hoping I will get a bunch of cards," King said. "I would like 1,000 and I wouldn't be surprised if we could do that."
King said when she made the announcement, the idea was well-received by community members.
She added that we identify with them as a community, because we are also a small town.
"You never think something like that would happen in your community and I'm sure they thought the same," King said. "I just hope they feel a little less alone and a little comfort. There's nothing we can do to take the pain away but maybe it will make them feel loved."
Debralynn Soza, who says she was deeply affected by the shooting, plans to write a card or two.
"The moment that I found out (about the shooting), I went and picked up my son from daycare and I just started crying," said Soza, a receptionist and water clerk for Portales. "I get emotionally involved in cases like this, it's a tragedy."
Soza is happy that she will have a way to connect with those parents in Newtown, because as a mother, she said it was painful to watch.
"I guess I try to understand it but there's no way to," Soza said. "Bad things happen to good people."
Soza said she strong in her faith and wants those affected to know that God conquers all.
"I just think my whole thing is going to be about sympathy and kind words," she said. "I know it's not going to comfort them but God is with them. Things will change and things will get better."
