The University of Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Memorial Scholarship Fund, which to date has raised nearly $700,000 from more than 4,000 people, gained a strong partner Thursday as the Connecticut Education Association announced a $1 million fundraising drive to support UConn’s scholarship fund and create a permanent monument honoring those who died in the Newtown shooting.

The CEA, which represents 43,000 teachers in Connecticut, has established the Sandy Hook Memorial and Scholarship Fund through its non-profit arm, the Connecticut Education Foundation. In a press release, the CEA states that monies received for the scholarship fund will be donated to UConn’s Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“We are deeply moved by the CEA’s support of the scholarship fund,” says UConn President Susan Herbst.  “So many people have been searching for ways to help in the wake of this horrible tragedy, and this effort speaks volumes about CEA’s concern and commitment.”

“We consider it a privilege to provide a platform to support the Newtown community,” says CEA President Sheila Cohen. “The grief and challenges the community face are extraordinary, and we hope the fund will provide some small solace in the months and years ahead.”

UConn’s fund was established Dec. 17 to support college costs for siblings of those killed in the assault, the dependents of the adults who also lost their lives, as well as students currently enrolled at the elementary school, who are accepted to attend UConn. Since that time, individual donations have come from across the United States and Canada, in amounts as small as $10 and as large as $25,000. Hartford area corporations have contributed more than $110,000.

Teachers as well as the general public can made donations to the Connecticut Education Foundation at www.cea.org. or at  www.foundation.uconn.edu/sandyhook.