Westport Supports BACK TO SCHOOL SHOP

The Back to School Shop, a new, all volunteer community event was launched on Sunday, August 9, at Davenport Ridge Elementary School in Stamford, CT. One hundred and twenty-five of the most economically disadvantaged elementary school children from Stamford Public elementary schools were able to “shop” free of charge for brand new back-to-school outfits and school supplies in a department store-like setting, created just for them. Over 150 volunteers, many trained as “personal shoppers” for the children, helped to make the event a resounding success.

A number of generous donors and volunteers from Westport also contributed to the success of this wonderful event! Westporter Robin Levey teamed up with her friend Linda Atkins from Stamford to act as the “buyers.” They purchased all of the clothing, backpacks and school supplies that stocked the “store” using funds donated by individual donors and local foundations. “When Linda told me about the event, I thought it was such a great idea and I wanted to be involved,” said Levey. “I’m a substitute teacher in Stark Elementary School in Stamford and I know that there is a definite need for this event.” Levey and Atkins started shopping in September of last year and in the end had bought over 1500 items of clothing and backpacks, and countless school supplies. “We shopped all the sales and used every coupon we could get our hands on,” said Levey, “We wanted to have an excess of inventory so that the last child who came through the store had lots of choices just like the first child who came through did.

In addition to clothes and school supplies, each child was able to take home a brand new book thanks to the generosity of Al DiGuido and Al’s Angel’s of Westport. Al’s Angels is a charity that focuses on helping children and families in need. “We were so thrilled that in addition to giving each child clothes and school supplies, we were also able to offer them a brand new book, thanks to Al’s Angels. It added so much to the event, and we can’t thank them enough,” exclaimed Meryl Japha, co-founder and co-chair of the Back to School Shop.

A chance meeting between a Back to School Shop volunteer and Joan Isaacson, the President of CT Block Party, a Westport based organization, resulted in additional support for The Back to School Shop. “I was so fortunate to meet Joan and to learn about her wonderful organization that is committed to getting children involved in philanthropy” said Charlesanna Ecker, a member of the Back to School Shop steering committee. “I encouraged my own 16-year-old son, Michael, to get involved, and he did research and interviews and presented a grant application to CT Block Party on behalf of The Back to School Shop.” He was assisted in the process by another Westport resident, who was offered by CT Block Party to serve as a grant writing mentor. “We were so fortunate to receive our first ever grant from CT Block Party so it was great for Back to School Shop, but also a terrific experience for my son.” exclaimed Ecker.

Two additional Westport residents, Linda Cassuto, 78, and Mary Lou Woodruff, 91, learned about the Back to School shop from their neighbor, Robin Levey. “Mary Lou and I heard about this new event last fall and wanted to help” said Cassuto. “We love to knit, so we started knitting!” Over 75 hats later, Cassuto and Woodruff made a lovely gift to the children of the Back to School Shop. Each hat they contributed was hand made and unique, and the children were very excited to have a chance to choose one of the hats to take home. “I couldn’t believe how beautiful the hats were, and how many Mary Lou and Linda made”, said Levey, “It was clearly a labor of love, and greatly appreciated by the Back to School Shop!”

The inaugural Back to School Shop event was extremely successful and a wonderful day for the children involved as well as the volunteers who participated. This is planned to be an annual event, with the number of children increasing next year. To find out more about the Back to School Shop or to make a donation, please visit www.ujf.org/backtoschoolshop or www.facebook.com/backtoschoolshop.