As so many of us try to understand the horrible violence committed in Aurora, Colo., nearly two weeks ago, Granite Staters might remember when a night of terror and inexplicable brutality visited this state not so long ago.

Not even three years have passed since Mont Vernon mother Kimberly Cates was murdered in her bed by a group of cold-blooded young men. These senseless acts of unspeakable evil can never be understood by normal people. Nor can we completely protect our families from such random acts of inhumanity.

One thing we can do is heal. The Cates family has taken on that challenge in an impressive way, and one in which we all can share.

David Cates and his daughter Jaimie have created the Kimberly Cates Memorial Scholarship Fund, and they have made it a lovely tribute to the wife and mother who was so wickedly taken from them. The fund raises money to fund college scholarships for students from Amherst and Mont Vernon who want to go into the medical field, where Kimberly Cates, a nurse, spent her career.

This coming Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m. the fund holds its second fundraising concert at Alpine Grove in Hollis. A ticket costs $25 ($40 for a couple), and proceeds fund the scholarships. You can find more information at www.kimcatesfund.org.

Communities can survive brutal, senseless crimes. Some can even thrive afterward. But only if the community comes together to heal. Mont Vernon is still healing. Maybe you can come out on Sunday and help that process, just a little bit.