Liz Burke, WPRO News

A Night of Remembrance is being held in West Warwick in honor of the 26 victims of the Newtown School Shooting.

“It’s a reflection of, not only what happened but you know, what we can do maybe to prevent it in the future and how it’s important for all of us to make sure we can to protect our children,” says Larry Purtill, the President of the National Education Association Rhode Island.

The vigil is being hosted by National Education Association Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers. Purtill says there will be a brief speaking program, music will be performed by the Cranston West High School band and by Tiverton teachers and students will be reading off the names of each victim.

“When you know the young children were huddled in a closet trying to be safe and somebody comes in and does this… you just can’t not by moved by it,” says Purtill

The night of remembrance is a free event to attend but Purtill says donations are gladly accepted. He says the money raised will be divided equally among teachers in Newtown. The teachers can use his or her allocated funds to purchase classroom materials or fund a classroom specific project.

The vigil is being held at the West Warwick Civic Center on Friday, January 18 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Because it is being held indoors, attendees are asked to bring flashlights instead of candles.