Alysa White hopes to collect 650 teddy bears by Christmas. (Photo By Flickr user stevendepolo)

By The Associated Press

NORMAL - An Illinois State University student is collecting teddy bears for children who attend the Connecticut elementary school where a gunman killed 26 people.

20-year-old Alysa White started a page on Facebook called "Teddys for Newtown.''

The ISU elementary education student has more than 3,600 members from around the country. White hopes to collect 650 teddy bears by Christmas. She wants to ship them to Newtown, Conn.

White says she thinks the children "need something to make them feel safe.''

Schools in Newtown except Sandy Hook Elementary returned to classes Tuesday.