BELLINGHAM - A vigil honoring the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut is planned for Saturday afternoon, Dec. 22, in the Bellis Fair mall food court.

Community members are invited to participate in the vigil, which will include Christmas carols and a Hearts of Hope art station where people can decorate a heart and send a message to the Newtown Congregational Church.

Those interested can meet at 1 p.m. near the gift-wrapping station in the food court. The organizer, Kristi Anderson, will be wearing a red sweater and will hand out song sheets and ribbons in Sandy Hook's colors, green and white. Carols will begin at 2 p.m.

Those who don't want to sing can hold up photos of the victims and help pass out information sheets on how people can help the Newtown community. Participants are encouraged to dress festively or wear green and white.

Reach ZOE FRALEY at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803. Visit her School Days blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/schools or get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/BhamSchools.