The University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford treated first responders from West Hartford to a brunch, and also provided them with baskets and cards created by students at the Gengras Center.

First responders brunch at University of Saint Joseph. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

National Random Acts of Kindness Week was celebrated at the University of Saint Joseph with an event last week that honored nearly first responders from West Hartford.

Nearly 50 members of the West Hartford Police Department and West Hartford Fire Department, as well as representatives of American Medical Response (AMR) and local nurses were treated to a brunch buffet on Feb. 20 that was prepared and served by USJ students who also joined them for the meal.

“Joey the Blue Jay,” the USJ mascot, was also in attendance and posed for selfies with the first responders.

Later in the week, through the Center for Wellness Development at USJ, students volunteers from Athletics and the Student Nursing Association Club created baskets, sponsored by the Students Government Association, that were delivered to the various West Hartford fire stations and other locations in West Hartford and Hartford. First responders also received special handmade thank you cards prepared by students at the Gengras Center – the private special education school located on the USJ campus which serves students from elementary age through post-secondary.

“On behalf of USJ leadership, please accept our thanks and appreciation for the partnership we share with the West Hartford Fire Department,” Christopher McKee, Associate Director of Public Safety and Risk Management at USJ, said in an email to West Hartford Fire Chief Greg Priest.

First responders brunch at University of Saint Joseph. Courtesy photo

First responders brunch at University of Saint Joseph. Courtesy photo 

First responders brunch at University of Saint Joseph. Courtesy photo

First responders brunch at University of Saint Joseph. Courtesy photo

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