Ridgefield Teen Brings 125 Backpacks To West Virginia School

RIDGEFIELD, CT — A Ridgefield High School student returned from a summer mission trip not just with memories, but with the heartfelt thanks of over a hundred children in need.

Sofia Begonja, motivated by her involvement in the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) through Ridgefield’s Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, collected and delivered 125 backpacks loaded with pencils, crayons, notebooks and more to Gauley Elementary School in Craigsville, West Virginia, during the late June trip.

ASP is a longstanding national Christian volunteer organization “that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair in Central Appalachia,” operating since 1969 and completing more than 17,000 home repairs to date. The program, sponsored locally by Jesse Lee Church, aims to make homes warmer, safer and drier while building relationships with residents of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. With nearly 312 volunteers this year, Jesse Lee’s ASP effort is among the country’s largest, according to the church's website.

The Ridgefield High School incoming junior began “Sofia’s Appalachia Supply Drive” over the winter, enlisting corporate sponsors Halmar International and Skanska USA—employers of her parents—to donate $6,500. Individual supporters contributed items through her Amazon wishlist. Ridgefield Police provided D.A.R.E. shirts, and Duke Cannon Supply Company donated soap.

Her preparations paid off. At Gauley Elementary, where many students reportedly struggle to afford lunch, school administrators welcomed the donation. "The staff and children were so excited to see all the backpacks and supplies, and explained how they helped the kids get through the school year easier," Begonja said.

Rather than shipping the supplies, she and her parents personally transported the donations in a van at the start of this year’s mission trip, timed with the ASP work in West Virginia and Kentucky. The group of 312 Jesse Lee ASP volunteers — a record number — returned to Ridgefield on Sunday, July 6.

Founded in 1789 by Methodist circuit rider Jesse Lee—the church’s namesake—the Ridgefield congregation is deeply committed to outreach. Beyond ASP, its programs include Spirit Builders, Community Cupboard and Deborah Circle, a women’s fellowship and service group.

See Also: Jesse Lee Church in Ridgefield Cancels Summer Service Project

Reflecting on her experience, Begonja said: “I hope we make school a little easier for students at Gauley Elementary and I look forward to helping the region in more ways next year!”