Father Fred Daley of All Saints Church
SYRACUSE -- A Syracuse Church is offering parents the opportunity to drop off violent video games and toys with the proceeds going to the families who lost children in the Newtown massacre.
Father Fred Daley of All Saints Church, at 112 Lancaster Place, told CNY Central's Jim Kenyon, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Christmas tree on Christmas morning could be surrounded by peace and not symbols of violence?"
Fr. Daley says he was shocked at the extreme violence and death depicted in video games with titles like ‘Assassins,’ ‘God of War,’ and ‘Grand Theft Auto.’
"They're sick, very sick. That's just a sign of our culture that is so violent," says Fr. Daley.
Fr. Daley says many of his parishioners feel "something has to be done" in response to the killing of 20 children and 6 adults in Newtown, Connecticut last week. He decided to set up baskets at the entrance to the church where people can drop off video games and toys that glorify violence. He is asking that they include the receipts as well.
"We will gather them and bring them back to the stores. The money, we're going to send to Newtown, Connecticut to the various funds that are being sought to aid the families who lost children," says Fr. Daley.
The violent toy and game initiative is being conducted at All Saints Church in Syracuse and Saint Francis of Assisi in Binghamton.
Fr. Daley says he hopes more churches will join in as word of the effort spreads.
