Ashley’s Dance
In Tara’s Memory

Tara Stratton—so full of life, so full of hopes and dreams, here was a bright light that was taken from us.

There can be no true justice for what has been done to her and her family. We as a community felt outrage, shock and pain, although we can not begin to know the pain and suffering of her family.

How many of us have asked ourselves what can I do, how can I help?

She wanted to be a nurse. To take care of others who could not do it for themselves. It seems only fair that we as a community take care of her memory and safeguard her dreams.

There is a scholarship fund being set up in her memory. Here is a way we can honor her dream—to show support for her loved ones. She can’t live her dream, but we can help make some other student’s dream come true. By doing so we will help her in fulfilling her dream of helping others.

We as friends, neighbors and fellow human beings cannot let her go without showing her and her family she will not be forgotten nor will her dreams. By helping others, her dream can live on. It seems the least we can do for her and the family. For ourselves. Who among us wants to give up on dreams? Dreams should never be allowed to die.

Ashley’s bar, where she worked to pay for her education, is hosting a benefit dance in her memory Saturday, March 29. I know a lot of you don’t go to Ashley’s, but my hope is you will on Saturday night. If even for only five minutes and donate five dollars. The amount does not count. It’s the thought behind it.

Let’s show how much we care. If you don’t attend the dance please just stop by and donate. They open at 2 p.m. Let’s show our support, our anguish and outrage at such a brutal crime.

I know times are financially tough for all of us these days. That just means we must dig deeper in our hearts and in our pockets and do the right thing.

We write this letter because it’s the only thing we can think of to try and help. One person cannot do it alone. So let’s stand together. Let’s make a difference.

Katherine Savary

Nathan Snow

Braintree