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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District will be holding its first backpack drive on August 22 from 2p.m. to 5:30p.m. at Ogara Field in Spencer. Collaborating with the Ronald A. Burgess Jr. Foundation, more than 150 families in the district can receive backpacks filled with free school supplies for children of all ages by registering through the foundation’s website.
“Our whole mission is to strengthen communities by empowering the youth and families within,” the foundation’s CEO Ronald A. Burgess Jr. said.
The National Retail Federation’s research found that families on average planned to spend $864 per student on back to school shopping in 2026. Free school supplies reduce the financial strain families face in purchasing what their children need for school.
Burgess initially started the nonprofit organization in 2020 for young men who had not met their fathers. The movement has since expanded to empowering students, particularly teenagers, with programs geared towards building a healthy mindset. The purpose of the backpack drive was to reach more students beyond directly working inside local schools.
Burgess said he “didn’t expect so much support to come” when he held community meetings to organize the backpack drive. All the help has broadened the event from handing out backpacks to including entertainment for students and families. He estimates that about 50 or 60 families have registered so far.
People can support the event by purchasing school supplies on the foundation’s Amazon list or volunteering. Those interested in volunteering can email info@ronburgessjrfoundation.org for more information.
Rachael Novia, a Title I interventionist at East Brookfield Elementary School who helps struggling students reach grade level, has taken a significant role in organizing the drive along with Burgess.
Although Novia knew the drive would be helpful for families who couldn’t afford school supplies, she felt the community aspect would be especially beneficial. “[Spencer and East Brookfield] don’t have a lot of family events,” she said and mentioned Burgess wanted to hold more family events in the school district too.
Novia has involved her Full Send Rebellion Jeep group, a group where people drive Jeeps on trails and give back to the community, in providing entertainment during the event. She found her network useful in finding people who could volunteer different fun activities for the drive.
“[Our group is] always looking to make the world a better place than how we found it,” Novia said, noting initiatives the group has taken to contribute to the community such as an annual donation event for children in foster care.
Although many activities are still being planned, it is confirmed that there will be a surprise guest to take photos with and receive an autograph from.
“I want the families to come in herds,” Novia said. “It’s not just about giving them the backpacks and the school supplies. It’s giving them a good time too.”
