Avon Prep School Comes Through For Hartford-Based Nonprofit

Avon Old Farms School

AVON/HARTFORD, CT — Students at a prominent Avon prep school recently gave back to the Hartford community through generosity and effort courtesy of their annual toy drive fundraiser.

As a result of their December toy drive, students at Avon Old Farms raised close to $60,000 for various Hands On Hartford initiatives.

Based in Hartford, Hands on Hartford is a community nonprofit dedicated to myriad causes/issues, including food insecurity, supportive housing, and good health.

The Avon Old Farms fundraising campaign, named “Winged Wishes” after the Winged Beaver school mascot, combines multiple efforts throughout December.

These efforts included a pasta dinner where students sell tickets and serve as waiters, dress down days where students pay for the opportunity to shed their school uniform, a raffle with prizes donated by faculty members and alumni, and more.

One unique addition this year was a mobile game tournament competition.

Interested students paid an entrance fee and then competed against others through the popular phone video game app Clash of Clans, with the winner receiving a prize.

Once the funds are raised, students join representatives from the Hands On Hartford
organization on a shopping trip to purchase toys for local children who might not otherwise
receive a gift for the holidays. Students then help transport the gifts.

The toy drive is just part of the work that Hands On Hartford does throughout the year.

Hands On Hartford serves Hartford’s most vulnerable residents
through food access programs, homeless outreach and prevention, health supports, and more.

The annual contribution from Avon Old Farms is spearheaded by their Student Council.

This year, they set a goal of $26,000. In the end, the school community came together to surpass that
goal — and then some.

The total amount raised for Winged Wishes this year is $58,874.

Rather than spend close to $60,000 solely on toys, the Council decided to extend the
impact of this effort well beyond the holiday season.

Additional funds will be allocated:

• $4,500 will be set aside to give next year’s Winged Wishes a strong start.

• Around $4,000 will support Hands On Hartford’s annual Christmas party, helping families gather and celebrate together.

• Approximately $10,000 will go to Hands On Hartford’s Backpack Program,
which provides underprivileged youth with food and essential supplies to support students and their families throughout the year.

The head of the Student Council, Lukas Archer, 18, of Brooklyn, N. Y, shared his thoughts during an all-school assembly at the culmination of the campaign on Dec. 16.

“Every gift represents a decision someone made to contribute, and together they reflect the commitment behind this effort. Every contribution, whether it was a donation, a raffle ticket, a T-shirt, a bracelet, or anything else, mattered. This outcome reflects a true community-wide effort," Archer said.

He also reflected on why he and his peers participate in this effort.

“The holiday season is a reminder to slow down and take stock of what we have — the support systems around us, the opportunities we’re given, and the stability many of us are fortunate enough to take for granted. Being aware of that isn’t about guilt; it’s about responsibility," Archer said.

"What we’ve done through Winged Wishes is recognize that blessing and act on it. We didn’t just talk about gratitude — we turned it into something tangible for families who need it most. This is what it looks like when a school commits fully to serving others.”