Fairfield County Celebrates Legacy of Newtown's Jesse Lewis

Remembering Jesse Lewis

Jesse Lewis was a fun-loving, bright, strong little six-year old boy when his life was cut short by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on December 14, 2012.  Since then, his family has struggled with their all-consuming grief, and worked tirelessly to make sure his legacy is not forgotten.

Jesse’s mother, Scarlett Lewis, who grew up in Darien, remembers her youngest son.  “He is sweet, loving and kind.  I don’t use the past tense when I talk about Jesse.  He is larger than life and I feel his presence with me.”

“My mother recently used a quote from Walt Whitman to describe him: ‘Some people are so much sunshine to the square inch.’  That is Jesse.”

Scarlett recalls the happy times with Jesse on their family’s farm.  “He is just a little boy who used to charge home from school, kick off his tennis shoes, pull on his knee-high rubber boots, grab his bucket of army soldiers and rubber ducks and run out to play in what we call ‘the world’s biggest sandbox,’ the arena where we ride our horses.”

Jesse is also a hero.  His clear thinking and brave action helped save many of his classmates on that fateful December day.

The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation

Inspired by Jesse’s bravery and exuberance of spirit, Scarlett Lewis established the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation to change our current culture of violence into one of safety, peace and love. 

Scarlett explains, “The Choose Love Foundation is working with professional educators to develop programs to bring compassion and love into the classrooms of our schools.  These programs will teach children, teachers and parents that they have a choice, to choose positive thoughts over negative ones, to choose forgiveness and compassion over hatred.” 

The Foundation is hosting its first fundraiser in Fairfield County Saturday, April 27, at South Norwalk’s O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant.  A $25 donation is suggested.  All are invited to “dance, smile and support” The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation and its important work. 

Another Way People Can Help

“People ask me, ‘What can we do now?’  Start with yourself," Scarlett urges.  "We need every individual to choose to be a positive influence in the world—that will create a ripple effect and will overpower the negative."  As I exchange goodbyes with Scarlett over the phone, her voice is tinged with heartache—and a mother’s determination that her son’s legacy of love will live on.

For more information, visit the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation’s website or click here to view the Foundation Fundraiser Flyer.  Please come out and show your support!