SPRINGFIELD -- The Miami Valley now has a place for anyone to honor the lives of the children killed in Newton, Connecticut.
Clairita Willmeth comes to this Children's memorial once a week to honor her 4 1/2 year old son who was killed 40 years ago.
"It's more calming and inspiring and helpful to someone who has lost a child than going to the cemetery... a lot more," said Willmeth.
It's a memorial that was originally created for local residents who lost their child, but last Fridays shooting inspired Angela Ward & her husband to extend it to 20 more victims.
"After the tragedy last Friday everybody's distraught," said Ward. "Everybody wants to know what they can do but they don't have a clue what to do so with this 14 foot tree we invite anyone in the Miami Valley to come decorate."
There's a ribbon an ornament for all 20 children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School including Allison Wyatt who's grandparents are from right here in the Miami Valley.
"It's for the kids in Sandy Hook school whose lives were lost," said Willmeth. "Since this is the Children's Memorial I thought it would be appropriate for them to be here."
"If it touches one, it touches us all," said Kelly Maynard who lost a cousin a couple years ago. "We are all the community here. If it was me I would appreciate all the love and thoughts from everyone so I want to give that to people."
"My ultimate goal would be for everyone to come down and put an ornament and see the street so full of love that we can send it back and those people know they are cared about all over the United States," said Ward.
Ward also purchased another tree, in case this one fills up.
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter.
Clairita Willmeth comes to this Children's memorial once a week to honor her 4 1/2 year old son who was killed 40 years ago.
"It's more calming and inspiring and helpful to someone who has lost a child than going to the cemetery... a lot more," said Willmeth.
It's a memorial that was originally created for local residents who lost their child, but last Fridays shooting inspired Angela Ward & her husband to extend it to 20 more victims.
"After the tragedy last Friday everybody's distraught," said Ward. "Everybody wants to know what they can do but they don't have a clue what to do so with this 14 foot tree we invite anyone in the Miami Valley to come decorate."
There's a ribbon an ornament for all 20 children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School including Allison Wyatt who's grandparents are from right here in the Miami Valley.
"It's for the kids in Sandy Hook school whose lives were lost," said Willmeth. "Since this is the Children's Memorial I thought it would be appropriate for them to be here."
"If it touches one, it touches us all," said Kelly Maynard who lost a cousin a couple years ago. "We are all the community here. If it was me I would appreciate all the love and thoughts from everyone so I want to give that to people."
"My ultimate goal would be for everyone to come down and put an ornament and see the street so full of love that we can send it back and those people know they are cared about all over the United States," said Ward.
Ward also purchased another tree, in case this one fills up.
Connect with ABC 22/FOX 45 Reporter Wale Aliyu on Facebook and Twitter.