On Fri., Dec. 14, the Greens Farms Academy a cappella group, The Harbor Blues, was serenading a group of three-year-olds with the sounds of Christmas. At the same time that this group was singing jolly tunes of Christmas to enthusiastic children at Southport Congregational Church Preschool, a tragedy was unfolding 30 minutes away in the hallways Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Immediately after arriving back at Greens Farms Academy, the carolers were informed of the indescribable massacre that had just occurred to children as innocent as the ones to whom they had just been singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“It was really jarring to know that while we were singing with a group of 30 three-year-olds, there were precious lives being taken only a half hour away,” said GFA senior Julia Lennon, student director of The Harbor Blues.

As more details emerged and the enormous impact of this tragedy became obvious, the Harbor Blues sprang into action.

“Every year we’re asked by the town of Westport to carol around the holidays, and we always collect tips,” said Lennon. However, the group soon realized that this year was not like other years.

Jenny Ball, a junior at GFA, came up with the initial idea to carol for Sandy Hook.

“In light of what happened at Sandy Hook, it almost felt wrong asking for money to benefit us – especially during the holidays,” she said.

So the group made a sign publicizing that all donations would support Sandy Hook Elementary School and caroled on the streets of downtown Westport for much of the day.

“All of the people that walked by smiled and enjoyed listening to the Christmas carols, but their faces dropped as soon as they saw our sign,” said Ball.

The group’s ability to rally so quickly after the tragedy served as a reminder that there are ways to physically support the small and distraught community of Newtown, group members said.

“Because the massacre had happened the morning before, pretty much everyone who walked by donated something,” said Lennon.

After just one day of caroling, The Harbor Blues had raised $1,000.

But the group isn’t done just yet.

“Our school was notified of our action today and there’s talk that they’re planning to run bake sales and a penny war to try and match our efforts,” said Lennon, who plans to continue arranging more days of caroling for Sandy Hook throughout the week.

The services provided by the Harbor Blues far exceeded filling the ears of holiday shoppers with dozens of a cappella Christmas carols. Community members said they felt comforted by this quick response by a young group of girls doing what they loved tin order to support a neighboring community.

“We are all so proud of each other and the good work we were able to do on Saturday, but it wasn’t about us. Caroling was our way of standing behind the families of those affected by the tragedy and commemorating those who have suffered a loss,” said Ball.

Members of the Harbor Blues include: Katie Berger, Sophie Briand, Ivy Wappler, Julia Lennon, Haley McCalpin, Crosbie Marine, Jenny Ball, Kristen Muller, Lauren Mounts, Sammy Marcus, Isabel Furman, Madi Sweedler