Candlelight vigils held in Agawam, Chicopee

AGAWAM/CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Dozens gathered in Agawam to remember the students and teachers killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Agawam's Mayor Richard Cohen was among the many who gathered at School Street Park for a candlelight vigil. Residents told 22News they came to the vigil searching for answers.

“What makes this stuff happen, how can you go in and take little children's lives or anyone's lives in that matter?” asked Al Gagliarducci. “And it's just like Mayor Cohen said tonight, there's no answer, there's no why.”

And in Chicopee more than 100 people gathered at Ray Ashe Park. Dozens lit candles around the play area in honor of the children whose lives were lost so tragically on Friday. The non-profit Open Door Resolution spoke to parents on how to talk to their children.

Kately Nadeau, from Open Door Resolution, told 22News, “We're also going to be in the school system; we have our doors opened 24 hours, seven days a week for any kid or parent to come to us if they need help.”