United Way Held Three Regional Back to School Drives This August
Nearly 950 children supported in greater Danbury, greater New Milford and Stamford
United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) sponsored three successful Back to School Drives this month to support families in greater Danbury, greater New Milford, and the City of Stamford. Collectively across these three communities, nearly 950 children were sponsored and close to $204,000 worth of donated items were collected.
“Our Back to School Drives assist families in need during a time that is meant to be exciting,” said Kim Morgan, CEO of United Way of Western Connecticut. “The program alleviates the financial stress associated with getting a child ready for school. Our programs are unique in that we provide personalized items for each child and volunteers love that they shop for specific children. It makes the experience more personal and gratifying.”
In greater Danbury:
The 24th annual Back to School event was held in Danbury on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Ellsworth Elementary School. This event is the signature project of United Way’s Workplace Volunteer Council, a coalition of area businesses who join together to advance community volunteerism and help meet community needs.
This year, 35 area businesses, civic groups and individuals sponsored children by providing them with a backpack filled with schools supplies and a $100 gift card to purchase school clothing. A total of 442 children were given the resources they need to be prepared for school. The estimated cost of sponsoring one child is $175, and the total value of donated items was $77,350. This event was made possible thanks to the volunteer efforts of members of the Workplace Volunteer Council and members of United Way’s Youth Volunteer Corps.
On Friday, August 14, 2015, the 24th annual Back to School Drive was held at Kimberly-Clark in New Milford. This year, 366 children were given a new backpack filled with grade appropriate school supplies, two new school outfits, a winter jacket, a pair of sneakers, socks, undergarments, and personal care items. The approximate value of sponsoring one child is $250, totaling $91,500 worth of donated items this year alone. This event was generously staffed with local volunteers and Youth Leadership students from New Milford High School.
In the City of Stamford:
In its 18th year hosted in Stamford, this year’s drive took place on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at KT Murphy Elementary School. Thanks to the generosity of employees at 20 local companies, 140 Stamford students received two new school outfits, a pair of sneakers, a winter coat, and grade-appropriate school supplies to start the school year. The majority of the children attend KT Murphy Elementary School while some recipients attend Davenport Ridge and Roxbury Elementary Schools. The approximate value of sponsoring one child is $250, totaling $35,000 worth of donated school supplies and clothing.
Companies that are members of United Way’s Workplace Volunteer Council in Stamford agree to sponsor children at the beginning of the summer. Employees shop for specific children so that all items meet the needs of each child. We’d like to thank the Women’s Mentoring Network youth volunteers for helping to make the event a success.