B.E.E The Best (“Backpacks for Excellence in Education”), a program founded by CBA Secretary Alaine Doolan, is a nonprofit that provides donated backpacks and supplies to the Truancy Intervention Project, which is an organization that matches attorney volunteers with students from the New Britain school system experiencing problems with school attendance. Each volunteer serves as an advocate and role model for their student.
“Over the last six years the program has donated around 200 backpacks stuffed with supplies to some very worthy students,” Secretary Doolan said, who founded the program after years of mentoring where she noticed that one reason students didn’t go to school was because they didn’t have supplies.
Last year, backpacks and supplies were also provided to the Interval House, a shelter and center for victims of domestic violence. They provide a bridge to new life for individuals and families. This year, B.E.E The Best will be donating to both the Truancy Intervention Project and the Interval House.
If you are interested in donating, B.E.E The Best is looking for the following items: two pocket folders, backpacks, alarm clocks, calculators, pencil sharpeners, erasers, weekly planners, magic markers, pencil cases, 1 inch 3 ring binders, 8GB flash/stick drive, and plastic water bottles.
B.E.E The Best also accepts cash or check donations made out to B.E.E The Best, Inc. Please note that this program is a 501(c)(3) so your donations may be tax deductible!
Please send all donations by Thursday, August 17 to:
Alaine Doolan
Robinson & Cole LLP
280 Trumbull Street
Hartford, CT 06103
