Goodwill Donates Backpacks to Wakeman Boys & Girls Club

Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) recently visited the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club’s Smilow Burroughs Clubhouse to help youth kickoff the 2023-2024 school year. As part of their visit, the GWNC team distributed nearly 100 backpacks to summer camp participants as part of a donation to the Club that includes 500 backpacks with 30-piece school supply kits.

“A solid educational foundation lays the groundwork for future employment,” Rocco Tricarico, President & CEO, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut, said. “We are proud to support the youth at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club with this donation, and wish them all a great upcoming school year and bright future.”

“The Goodwill donation of filled backpacks, with much needed school supplies for scholars, was a relief for many families of a financial stressor,” Shawn D. Byrd, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse Unit Executive Director, said. “This influences how prepared their scholars are for the academic year. A complete success!”

Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut will distribute more than 2,000 students to K-6 students across its service territories as part of the ‘2023 Backpack Giveback.’ Additional distributions will benefit students in the nonprofit’s various service areas.

GWNC’s ‘2023 Backpack Giveback’ was made possible with the generous support of sponsors, including: Associated Group LLC, ADP, Cor Hub International Limited, Diversified Group Brokerage Corp., GO Agency, New England Financial Group, Christopher Conte, Employers Reference Source, Inc., Hamilton Connections, Inc., and Jackson Lewis Foundation.

To find a Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut retail location or drop-off site near you, visit: www.gwct.org.

ABOUT GOODWILL OF WESTERN AND NORTHERN CONNECTICUT

Goodwill is a non-profit organization that helps individuals, businesses, and communities come together to support people with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and other barriers to employment. Last year, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) helped 918 Connecticut residents find work. Donations of goods and revenue generated from store sales power this mission, with more than 90% reinvested into the programs and services strengthening Connecticut families. GWNC is headquartered in Bridgeport, Conn., and has store, donation, and career center locations around the state. To learn more, visit: www.gwct.org.