Sandy Hook Comfort Project April Update

As most of you know, back in December, the idea came about to send copies of my book on loss and grief, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning , to those who had lost loved ones from the horrendous Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, CT. Books were donated at a very generous level (even my publisher donated a large amount) and I was able to send 106 autographed copies to a church in Sandy Hook. Personalized notes for the families of the victims were also included with 26 of the books.




A few weeks after sending the two heavy boxes, I called the church to make sure that the books arrived; they had.

Last week I received a hand-written thank-you note which reads:

In the midst of our tragedy in Sandy Hook, your thoughtfulness was truly appreciated. Your gift was a symbol of comfort to our community in the face of great loss. We ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers; you have already touched us profoundly.

With deep thanks in Christ,
The People and Staff of Newtown United Methodist Church

I want to thank each of you who were involved in making this comfort project a success. I hope the books are meaningful and helpful to many.

"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." Psalm 3:5

If you'd like to order a copy of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning in either Kindle or print, click here.

A package of love and comfort headed for Sandy Hook, CT

In tragedy, words seem lacking . . . but love reaches across each barrier . . .

The books have been signed and are ready to send! Since December, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on the 14th, the Sandy Hook Comfort Project has received donations to send books to Sandy Hook, CT ---a token of our love and concern.
106 copies of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning will be mailed to a church in Sandy Hook for the families who lost loved ones and for others in the community (churches, first responders, medical staff, friends, co-workers).

What an outpouring of love! I had a mixture of emotions as I signed all 26 books for each family who had a child--young or older--die. Writing the names of dead children is never easy to do. Afterwards, I signed the rest of the books with "In love and memory". Each book will be accompanied with a letter which contains all the signatures of those who donated. You can read the letter here and see the names of the donors. A Songs From Heaven postcard will also be included.

I don't want anyone to be left out, so if you would still like to donate, please click this link. When you get there, scroll down to the bottom of that post to find out how to donate via Paypal or snail mail. You can donate any amount you would like. Upon donating, your name will be added to the letter.

I plan to mail the boxes of books out on Monday, January 28th.

January 26, 2013

Sixteen years ago on February 2, my world crashed. After eight months of treatment, my four-year-old son Daniel lost his battle to cancer. The pain I felt was indescribable. I never wanted anyone to ever have to experience a sorrow like that. How would I live on? How could I cope?

You know the sorrow from the devastating loss of your precious child. You know what it is like to live with a broken heart.

This book of grief and loss, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning: Reflections of Comfort in Heartache, is a gift to you from many of us. When Daniel died, it helped me to read books by other bereaved parents so that I knew I was not alone in my anguish.

I hope this book will serve as a token of our care and as a reminder of how we continue to lift you and the community of Sandy Hook up in our prayers.

With love and remembrance always,

Alice Wisler, Durham, NC
Rebecca Boucher, Spencer, MA
Lisa Schorp, Crest Hill, IL
Dorothy Jones, Natchitoches, LA
Trish Jenkins, Queensland, Australia
Kishia Carrington, Durham, NC
Kit Tosell, Sisters, OR
Karen and Pete Versoi, Durham, NC
Donna Jackson, Charlotte, NC
Margaret DeYoung, Zeeland, MI
Lynn Shoemate, Dallas, TX
D D Scott, Dallas, TX
Melva and Randy Strait, Durham, NC
Norma Pascuales, Gadsden, AL
D’Ann Mateer, Rockwall, TX
Lee Ann and Michael Brumble, Burlington, NC
Katharine Parrish, Cary NC
Jane Avery, Durham, NC
Joyel Hidber, Alberta, Canada
Robert Kingshott, Zeeland, MI
Ann Knowles, Wilmington, NC
Ben and Gayle Lichius, Beaver Falls, PA
Maija Schaefer, Novato, CA
Robin Nixon, Greenville, NC
Melissa Robinson, Garner, NC
Laura Gibowski, Durham, NC
Karen Alford, Cleveland, TN
Elizabeth Boenig, College Station, TX
Karen and Philip Parrillo, Chicago, IL
Kim McHugh, Glenmont, NY
Marie Pinkham, Fort Myers, FL
Carol Stratton, Mooresville, NC
Sandra Bates, Chapel Hill, NC
Cheryl Veasey, Durham, NC
Teresa Cross, Durham, NC
Mary Worthen-Gilliam, Durham, NC
Joylene McFarland, Durham, NC
Donna James , Durham, NC
Sharon Frye, Durham, NC
Suzanne and Doug Coonley, Durham, NC
Sandy Smith, Clayton, NC
Barb and Mike Eyster, Durham, NC
Tricia Hocker, Durham, NC
Donna Emory, Durham, NC
Troy McNear, Goose Creek, SC
Jane and Vincent Stubbs, Durham, NC
Leafwood Publishers, Abilene, TX
Joyce Juhl, San Antonio, TX
Dave and Jane Latta, Durham, NC

Gifts With A Heart---The Continuation of the Sandy Hook Comfort Project

I love events that come from the brainstormings of others. The staff at Gifts With A Heart have something special planned for Friday, January 25 from 6 to 9 PM. There will music by Converting Hearts, door prizes, refreshments and an opportunity to shop at this unique store. The evening is part of the Sandy Hook Comfort Project, a project that started in December 2012, shortly after the tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, CT. Some of Alice's friends suggested her new devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, be sent to the families who lost beloved children to death on 12/14/12. The Project has morphed into a large and wide-spread outpouring so that now books will be sent not just to the families, but to others in the Sandy Hook community who were affected by the horrible shooting (first responders, teachers, clergy, hospital staff, etc.).

GETTING OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING and Alice's son Daniel (8/25/92--2/2/97)


On January 25 you will have an opportunity to purchase a copy or two of Getting Out of Bed in the Morning for the Sandy Hook Comfort Project. Books will be shipped to the United Methodist Church in Sandy Hook for distribution by the end of this month. Each book will be autographed by Alice and sent with a letter, listing the names and cities of all the donors. The families who lost loved ones will have copies of their books personalized with the name of their child.

Join us for this meaningful time!


Gifts With A Heart
2889 Jones Franklin Road
Swift Creek Shopping Center
Raleigh, NC 27606


To read more about The Sandy Hook Comfort Project, head over to Alice's Patchwork Quilt Blog.

You can also read reviews for Getting Out of Bed in the Morning.

Hop over to see the merchandise at
Gifts With A Heart.


[This post was first posted at Alice's Writing the Heartache Blog.]