NEWTOWN, Conn., Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine's Day marks the two month anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT that took the lives of 20 first graders and six educators.  As we celebrate those we love this year, Sandy Hook Promise is asking Americans to keep the community of Newtown in their hearts with its #1MillionHearts for Newtown campaign.

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Sandy Hook Promise, the grassroots organization formed by Newtown friends and neighbors in the days following the tragedy, created #1MillionHearts for Newtown as a way to honor the lives lost, and help the community and nation to heal. The campaign allows participants to send virtual Valentines as a way of pledging their support.  Virtual Valentines can be shared from our website: 1MillionHearts.SandyHookPromise.org and on social media with the hashtag #1MillionHearts.

 "The whole town received an outpouring of love from people across the country and around the world immediately after the tragedy and it helped lift our spirits.  For Valentine's Day, a short two months later, it seemed natural to create a special way for Americans to continue channeling their love and support," said Lee Shull, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise.  "By harnessing the power of social media, #1MillionHearts for Newtown enables those who have been so profoundly affected by this terrible event to continue pledging their support."

Beginning on Tuesday February 12^th, people can send a virtual valentine by visiting the website 1MillionHearts.SandyHookPromise.org.  Valentines can be shared via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest. Virtual valentines can also be shared via the Sandy Hook Promise Facebook and Twitter pages. To join the #1MillionHearts for Newtown campaign, please visit:

• Web: http://1MillionHearts.SandyHookPromise.org  
• Facebook: http://Facebook.com/SandyHookPromise  
• Twitter: http://Twitter.com/SandyHook

About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise has a dual mission: first, to support those affected by the tragedy and help the community heal and second, to enlist all Americans in supporting comprehensive solutions to make our country safer from similar acts of violence. The organization has called for a national dialogue around issues of mental health, school safety and gun responsibility that respects the rights that the Second Amendment bestows on individuals. To build support for national change, Sandy Hook Promise is asking all Americans to join with them in "promising" to participate in making the changes necessary to prevent future tragedies.  Individuals can make the Sandy Hook Promise at www.sandyhookpromise.org.

Sandy Hook Promise is a nonprofit corporation, with a 501c(3) Foundation (in process) as well as a 501c(4) Action Fund.  Individuals wishing to support the group may make tax deductible donations to the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation by visiting the website. Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/sandyhookpromise, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/sandyhook.  

*SHP is a non-profit corporation.  It is in the process of applying to the Internal Revenue Service for recognition as a section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity

SOURCE Sandy Hook Promise