Jordan Conover, the owner of Hartford Fence Company donated 130 books to Charter Oak International Academy.

Jordan Conover of Hartford Fence Company speaks with a Charter Oak student about one of the donated books. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The week of Nov. 10-16, 2025 was “National Kindness Week,” and in West Hartford that sentiment was clearly evident when some special guests visited Charter Oak International Academy to present a donation of books and spend time reading with the students.

Charter Oak PTO President Megan Allen said she has been trying to forge partnerships with area businesses, including Hartford Fence Company, located at 559 New Park Avenue which is just a few blocks from the school.

“I was trying to reach out to neighboring businesses, and he was the first to reply,” Allen said of Jordan Conover, the owner of Hartford Fence. “I was thrilled,” she said, when Conover offered to not only help out with her quest to acquire some books for the school, but to spend $1,000 to fully fund the request of 130 books.

Students at Charter Oak International Academy check out some of the books donated by Jordan Conover of Hartford Fence Company. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conover joined Charter Oak Principal Georgina Rivera, IB Coordinator Jill Thompson, and Allen at the school on Nov. 14 to present the books and spend some time reading with the students. He also brought some other special guests – Devonte Dillion and Terrell Huff of DT Cares, a nonprofit youth mentorship program that supports students in the Greater Hartford area. As part of National Kindness Week, the three had spent the day doing charitable work throughout the area, including at the Boys & Girls Club.

Conover said it was wonderful to actually see the kids’ faces as they checked out the new books.

Students at Charter Oak International Academy check out some of the books donated by Jordan Conover of Hartford Fence Company. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“We’re deeply rooted in the community and core values,” Conover said. When he received an email request from Allen asking if his company would provide some support or perhaps donate a book, his reaction was: “I’ll just buy all of the books.”

Conover, who has four children of his own, knows it’s a “heavy lift” for schools to provide all the resources on their wish lists. “If we can make that a little bit more weightless it’s better, and then you get a moment like this, which is really what we’re after,” he said, pointing to the smiling students who were the first to check out the new books.

Devonte Dillion of DT Cares reads with Charter Oak students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conover, Dillion, and Huff posed for photos with the students, and spent some time reading with them.

“We love this,” Conover said. “This is the best thing we did all day.”

Terrell Huff of DT Cares reads with Charter Oak students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Charter Oak Principal Georgina Rivera speaks with students as they check out the new books. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Devonte Dillion of DT Cares reads with Charter Oak students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Students at Charter Oak International Academy check out some of the books donated by Jordan Conover of Hartford Fence Company. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Terrell Huff of DT Cares reads with Charter Oak students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Terrell Huff of DT Cares reads with Charter Oak students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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