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Knauf ran in the Spring Forward For Sandy Hook in Danbury in memory of Lauren Rousseau last Saturday. On Sunday, she ran in Norwalk in memory of young Jesse Lewis. Those were the latest races of 26 she has planned for this year to honor the educators and children who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
She has run 14 races already this year. Knauf pays her way for each race and wears race attire dedicated to each victim. She is hoping to raise $26,000 for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Readers can contribute to her cause through her online fundraising page.
Knauf was raised in Newtown, moved away for college and then returned when she started her family. She said she’s running the races because she feels compelled to help the families of the victims. Although she did know any of them personally, she wanted to help.
“I just didn’t want to sit at home any more and be sad about it,’’ said Knauf, who also has a Facebook page dedicated to 26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook. “I felt like I had to do something.”
When Knauf was growing up, she joked with friends that nothing happened in Newtown. “It was the safest place in the world,’’ she said. “We talked about it all the time. When something like this happens, it socks the whole community. I’m just so proud to be from Newtown.”
Knauf writes about her races on her blog. She was particularly emotional after running on Mother’s Day in Ridgefield in memory of educator Mary Sherlach.
“On December 14th, my son was at daycare. Like all the schools in the area, his was locked down until police were certain that the area was safe and secure again,’’ Knauf wrote. “I wasn't able to go to him and wrap him in my arms for hours. I knew he was safe, but I needed him in my arms. I needed to feel him in my arms, to know that he was safe by seeing him with my own eyes. But I couldn't. Those were agonizing hours. And the pain was tangible. But, I got him back. I got to hold him again. A mother's arms should never be devoid of their child. It's cruel. That is the only way to describe it. It's the worst thing you could ever do to a woman. And my heart aches in sisterhood for those women who lost their babies.”
Many of her donors have given her $26, a number that has become a theme throughout Knauf’s campaign. She’s even considering running a marathon – 26 miles for 26 victims – at the end. It is not generally a number that allows for symmetry. In Knauf’s case, it’s perfect.
“You hope they’re looking down and are happy that they are being remembered,’’ she said. “We miss them every day.”
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