(Newser)
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The last three funerals for victims of the Sandy Hook massacre were held today as millions of dollars in donations poured into Newtown, Conn., NBC News reports. Josephine Gay, 7, and Ana Marquez-Greene, 6, were laid to rest in Connecticut, and Emilie Parker, 6, in Ogden, Utah. Emilie's father, Robbie Parker, said at a press conference that he held no ill will toward shooter Adam Lanza but found it hard to explain the killing to his other kids, ages 3 and 4. Emilie's effect on the world was his only comfort, he said: "I'm so blessed to be her dad."
Meanwhile officials were refurbishing unused Chalk Hill Middle School in nearby Monroe, Conn., to be ready Jan. 3 for children who survived the massacre. Newtown's school superintendent offered time off for Sandy Hook's teachers and staff, but said that "I think many don't want their children—they own those children—they don't want them to be with a substitute." Also today, Newtown's children were invited to a town hall to choose a toy from the tens of thousands pouring in, reports the AP. Donations at the United Way of Western Connecticut reached $2.6 million this morning.
