Bristol Group Collecting Backpacks To Aid Local Students

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

August 3, 2022

The American Legion Unit 2 Auxiliary is collecting backpacks for United Way of West Central Connecticut, assisting in their efforts to provide school supplies for local students.

Shannon Kuhta, president of the Unit 2 Auxiliary, which is affiliated with American Legion Post 2 at 22 Hooker Court, said the collection began a couple weeks ago and is going strong.

The Unit 2 Auxiliary will be delivering 50 backpacks to United Way of West Central Connecticut, located at 440 N. Main St., on Monday, Aug. 8.

“The United Way does an ‘Adopt a Child’ program,” Kuhta said. “We are given information like the child’s age, clothing size and favorite color and we shop for them. We’ll be providing 50 children with backpacks, a new outfit for the first day of school and school supplies.”

Kuhta said the supplies were collected by members of the Unit 2 Auxiliary as well as members of the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Post 2.

“We also received a very substantial donation from the Bristol Police Union which we are very grateful for,” she said. “This was the first time we did this fundraiser and it went amazingly well. We want to be able to help kids and veterans in our community. This was a great way for us to get out and get started.”

In the coming year, Kuhta said, the Unit 2 Auxiliary plans to provide luminaries for Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

In addition, the Unit 2 Auxiliary will be supporting the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs annual “Stand Down” event this year.

The event, which acts as a “one stop shop” to connect veterans with support services, will be held at five locations, including the Bristol Sports Armory at 61 Center St., on Friday, Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We’ll be donating hats, scarves, blankets and socks for the veterans in need,” she said.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.