Press Release
Under the supervision of Ms. Allyson Collette, an educator at Fairhaven High School (FHS), students of the FHS National Honor Society conducted an extremely successful drive to collect items for people experiencing homelessness in the greater New Bedford area.
The project “Backpacks of Hope” was initiated by long time Fairhaven resident, Mary Boucher. Mrs. Boucher is the FHS PTO President, an officer of the Fairhaven Improvement Association, and past President of the Woods School PTO. When she heard that a local non-profit that works closely with area homeless needed various items, she told her daughter, Elle, about it.
According to Ms. Collette, “Elle Boucher brought up the idea of hosting a backpack drive. I had a group of kids in my room and we brainstormed the idea of hosting a homeroom competition to drum up some more attention.”
The drive gave students an opportunity to engage in meaningful community service and demonstrate the National Honor Society’s commitment to leadership. The students decorated collection boxes and held it over a four-week period at FHS. A great abundance of items was collected: 28 backpacks, 1500 body wipes, 116 tissue packs, 23 first aid items, 112 pairs of socks, 70 hand, foot, and body warmers, 3 hats, 4 packs of gloves, 2 jackets, 31 personal care items, 15 headlamps, 37 oral care items, and 32 bottles of hand sanitizer.
Mrs. Boucher said, “I am incredibly proud of our students and Blue Devil community for stepping up and showing compassion, leadership, and heart.”
The proceeds from the drive went to Works 4 U, Inc., a local 501(c)3 that has a track record of success helping the area’s homeless community.
Trey Whalley, President of Works 4 U said, “the families of FHS students have shown incredible generosity and the FHS Honor Students have demonstrated great kindness and organization in pulling off this drive. We are extremely grateful for their success, and we look forward to delivering their charity to those who need it most.”
The mission of Works 4 U, Inc. is to end homelessness through employment. It has helped hundreds of local people experiencing homelessness over the past five years that it has been in operation. This year alone, over 120 people benefited from its programs.
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- Students of the Fairhaven High School Honor Society collected an abundance of items for distribution to local homeless people, including 28 backpacks and many personal care items. Submitted photo.
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