Morley 'Backpack Brigade' Heads to Town Hall with Overwhelming Donation

Morley students and staff headed to West Hartford Town Hall Wednesday morning, escorted by members of the West Hartford Police and Fire departments, and carrying a record-setting donation of backpacks and school supplies as a donation to the town's human services department.

"The pride that fills me is beyond what anyone could imagine. When [second grade teacher and backpack brigade organizer] Dawn O'Connor says miracles can happen, they do," said Morley Principal Dr. Ellen Stokoe. At last week's pre-brigade pep rally, O'Connor announced that only 160 backpacks had been collected, 240 short of the school's goal of 400.

There were 435 backpacks transported from Morley on Wednesday, and with the two added by Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor at the Town Hall ceremony, a total of 437 were donated.

Once the shortfall was announced, donations came from families, friends, alumni, and strangers. "An anonymous donor gave us $750," said O'Connor, and those funds were used to purchase additional backpacks. Throughout the year Morley students have raised funds for the backpack brigade effort through box top programs, by holding lemonade stands, and at a dunk tank at the annual picnic.

O'Connor estimated the value of the donated backpacks and school supplies at $10,000.

The donation was officially presented during a brief ceremony at Town Hall, where students sang songs and were thanked by Volunteer Coordinator Alicia Hey, who said that the Morley contribution will be a huge help to the human services department, which handed out 530 backpacks last year. 

"We're so lucky that all of the elementary schools in West Hartford include community service in their curriculum, and it's great that Morley leads the way," said Director of Human and Leisure Services Helen Rubino-Turco.

This is the fifth year that Morley has held the backpack brigade, but the school's annual Red Wagon Food Drive has taken place since 1994. "We really do our part, but it doesn't feel too hard," said O'Connor.