2019 Bag It Up for Goodwill Challenge Winners

Bridgeport, Conn. (June 4, 2019) — Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) celebrated the winner of its 2019 Bag It Up for Goodwill Challenge, an annual donation competition among Connecticut elementary schools, which yielded 432,576 donated items. Landing in first place – and winning a grand prize of $1,000, NORA’s Cupcakes for the entire student body, and a performance by Grammy nominated multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw – was Farmington’s Noah Wallace Elementary, which collected 79,862 items – the most ever collected by a single school. Their donation tops last year’s winning school by more than 20,000 items.

“The support we received from elementary schools throughout the region was overwhelming,” Vickie Volpano, President & CEO of Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut, said. “The high levels of participation show that children are actively engaged in wanting to do good for the environment and their communities. We are so grateful for their participation and look forward to serving more Connecticut residents because of their efforts.”

Earning second place, and donating the second highest number of items ever collected, was Monroe’s Fawn Hollow Elementary School which will receive a $500 prize and award recognition from GWNC. Naugatuck’s Hop Brook Elementary School earned third place and a $250 prize, ranking in the top three schools for the third consecutive year.

Students at Noah Wallace School celebrated their victory when Grammy nominated multi-platinum recording artist Gavin DeGraw, who is known for songs such as “Not Over You,” “I Don’t Want To Be” and “Chariot”, came to their school for a private performance.

GWNC, one of 161 regional Goodwill organizations in the U.S. and Canada, is devoted to empowering individual independence and success through opportunity. Since its inception, GWNC’s Bag It Up challenge has inspired Connecticut residents to donate hundreds of thousands of pounds of clothing and household items.

“We are excited to recognize the achievements of these winning schools and thank all of the schools who participated,” Volpano said.

ABOUT GOODWILL OF WESTERN AND NORTHERN CONNECTICUT

Goodwill makes it easy for individuals, businesses, and communities to come together to support people with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and other barriers to employment. Every time you drop off clothing and household items at Goodwill, you are contributing to a greater good. Every time you shop in our stores and purchase a value-priced item, you are filling a need beyond your own. Last year, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) helped 2,604 Connecticut residents find work. GWNC is headquartered in Bridgeport and has store, donation, and career center locations across the region. https://www.gwct.org/