Webster Hill Elementary School in West Hartford created care bags for the House of Bread during their Spirit Week activities.

By Ronni Newton

Along with the light-hearted fun that accompanied Spirit Week at Webster Hill Elementary School during the week before April vacation, students added a philanthropic element.

The Student Council-led project involved collecting items to create “care bags” for House of Bread, an urban ministry that supports food, shelter, and education for the economically disadvantaged in the Hartford area, with their services characterized by “compassion, dignity, and respect.”

Each day the Spirit Week activity included a related donation, such as travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and soap on “Crazy Hat and Hair Day,” Principal Melissa Behrens said. On “Silly Sock Day” more than 400 pairs of socks were collected, and on “Workout Wednesday” water bottles were collected.

“We are so proud of our students for their commitment and contributions to this special outreach project, where they experienced the value and joy of making a difference in the community through giving,” Behrens said. “Over the course of our Webster Hill Spirit Week, they collected enough items to create 250 beautiful care bags for the House of Bread in Hartford, decorated with student artwork and uplifting messages.”

Webster Hill students wrote fun messages on the care bags. Photo from House of Bread Facebook page

“This was a Student Council project,” said Carrie Laspada, Webster Hill’s Quest teacher. “It was organized and run by the kids. Every grade has been involved in the donations and bag decorating.”

House of Bread posted a thank you, along with multiple photographs, on their Facebook page on Friday.

“Webster Hill students & families – please know these acts of kindness will make a difference for the people we serve. We so appreciate your efforts and your thoughtfulness!” the post reads, and it includes a special thanks to Quest teacher Carrie Laspada and her dad who delivered the bags.

Webster Hill Quest teacher Carrie Laspada (right) with the donated care bags. Photo from House of Bread Facebook page

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