Brick By Brick Relief for Sandy Hook

Bellevue Club member Joene LaBou wanted to help rebuild Sandy Hook Elementary school after the devastating shooting in December.

In an effort to honor the 20 children and six adults who lost their lives at the Newtown, Conn. shooting, Joene decided to show the students, parents and community members strength by collecting bricks throughout the Kirkland area. Her goal is to collect thousands, with personal messages from community members, ship them to Newtown and have a monument constructed there.

It's called Brick By Brick, and people can stop by Ford of Kirkland to become a part of the project. In the main showroom, there are plenty of bricks ready to paint. Joene and her volunteers have prepped the bricks so they'll stand up against weather and time, but they still need drawings, prayers or words of hope.

As of late December, they've gathered 1,800 bricks, and a Woodinville trucking company has volunteered to take them to Newtown when they're complete. Joene plans to collect through the month of January, but if support and enthusiasm is still pouring in, she may extend the deadline.

Several businesses in the area have invited the organization to collect at their locations, so Joene said she is willing to come to those who want to help. If you want to see where they will be next, visit their Facebook page.

Donations are also accepted, which would be used for materials and the installation of the monument. These donations can be made at any KeyBank in the name of Brick By Brick-Sandy Hook Memorial Fund.

Or, you can mail donations to:
KeyBank
Kirkland Parkplace Key Center
327 Parkplace Center
Kirkland, WA 98033

"We, together, would love to build something from our hearts to theirs," Joene said. Joene has also been in contact with Newtown and Sandy Hook, and they believe the brick monument would be a "great tribute" and symbol of their rebuilding —brick by brick.


For questions, contact Joene at brickbybricksandyhook@gmail.com or 425-941-3915.