The UConn Catholic Center Students, Storrs, CT hope to fill 50 military-grade backpacks for the homeless and at-risk veterans in CT at a Donation Drive to be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Catholic Center @ Storrs, 46 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT. UConn Sophomore, Ava Abruzzese, has organized student volunteers to partner with the Backpacks for Life organization to help needy veterans in the region.
The Backpack for Life organization offers a military grade backpack to veterans who often have nothing. A backpack is their most crucial asset and is their mobile home, pillow and for some their only belongings are inside. Jamie DePaola, BFL Program Manager and retired Marine, said “Our backpacks are a symbol of hope and reassurance that the veterans are not alone on their path toward self-sufficiency.”
Military veterans have all learned to survive for months with just a backpack. After challenging deployments, when a military member returns home they often face the hardest part of the process – reintegrating into their civilian lives while often battling the hidden wounds of war. A backpack is like home to many of them.
Donors can just drive up and drop off a donation without getting out of the car.
The donation collection date is Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Catholic Center @ Storrs, 46 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT. Monetary donations are also accepted. Questions, please contact: ava.abruzzese@uconn.edu or Jamie DePaola at jamie@backpacksforlife.org
