the same reason that towns needed the comfort dogs and the outpouring of love from strangers and the visit from the President. It lets them take a breath and find comfort in unconditional kindness.
I live approximately 10 miles from Newtown/Sandy Hooks. When IBM moved us back to the US from Australia I looked at Sandy Hooks as a place to settle.
As it is, an IBMer lost a child-did I know them-no-but I can relate. My son was in school in Colorado when Columbine happened. I was frantic to locate him and to know he was safe.
You don't need an excuse to bring a smile to a tear stained face or a reason to PIF. God hopes it never happens to you or yours-but if it does let it be known that the are good people, caring people willing to go the extra to comfort you.