Representatives of Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) in Bridgeport recently visited the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club”™s Smilow Burroughs Clubhouse to help the kids 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,” said Rocco Tricarico, president and CEO, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut.”
“The Goodwill donation of filled backpacks, with much-needed school supplies for scholars, was a relief of financial stress for many families,” said Shawn D. Byrd, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club Smilow-Burroughs Clubhouse unit executive director.
Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut will distribute more than 2,000 packs 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 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.
Goodwill is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals, businesses and communities come together to support people with disabilities, economic disadvantages and other barriers to employment. GWNC is headquartered in Bridgeport and has stores and career center locations around the state.
