City court officer seeking donations for backpack giveaway event

Brad Petrishen, Telegram & Gazette
·2 min read
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WORCESTER — After a record turnout last year, 508 Forever Young, the nonprofit helmed by city court officer Woodrow Adams Jr. is again seeking donations for its annual summer backpack giveaway event.

The group, which will hold its sixth annual drive Aug. 6 at an event stocked with free food, games and haircuts is asking for community support filling hundreds of backpacks for city schoolchildren.

“Children watch everything you do,” the nonprofit notes on its website. “By giving back to the community we show them firsthand how volunteering makes a difference and how good it feels to help others and enact change.”

Adams said the turnout at least year’s event was the best he has ever had. It was a tragic year for his family — his father, grandmother and uncle died in a terrible city fire — and the community rallied behind his continued efforts to help kids. 

Woodrow Adams Jr., founder and president of the 508 Forever Young Inc., was honored as a Hometown Hero before one of Friday night's WooSox games.
Woodrow Adams Jr., founder and president of the 508 Forever Young Inc., was honored as a Hometown Hero before one of Friday night's WooSox games.

As children throughout the country continue to struggle with mental health and learning following the tumultuous last couple years, Adams is hoping one thing local kids won’t have to worry about is supplies.

His organization is asking for donations of backpacks of all sizes, as well as supplies it will stuff inside the packs. A lengthy list of supplies — including writing utensils, paper, binders and calculators — can be found on its website.

People can drop off donations at five city locations: Fade Kings at 70 Vernon St., Addie Lee’s Soul Food at 596 Main St., the YMCA at 766 Main St., Unified Insurance at 1094 Pleasant St. Suite 1 and MVP's Barbershop, 258 Grafton St.

Staples stores in Auburn, Shrewsbury and Westborough are also accepting donations. Adams has also created an Amazon Wish List, along with a GoFundMe seeking to raise $5,000.

“In the wake of tragedy, last year’s event far exceeded all expectations and was by far our best turnout,” he wrote on GoFundMe. “With your help, this year we are looking to take our backpack giveaway event to the next level.”

The family of fallen Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia are honored by Woodrow Adams, Jr. with the inaugural Adams Family Strong award at the 508 Forever Young event Aug. 28, 2021.
The family of fallen Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia are honored by Woodrow Adams, Jr. with the inaugural Adams Family Strong award at the 508 Forever Young event Aug. 28, 2021.

This year's event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 at Fuller Family Park, 104 Murray Ave.

Adams told the Telegram & Gazette the event this year, like last, will feature abundant entertainment and free giveaways beyond the packs including free food, haircuts, a bouncy house, sports activities, live music and exotic cars.

“It was a beautiful day,” Adams said of last year’s showing, which included the Worcester Fire Department bringing some of their trucks for delighted kids.

New this year, Adams said, is a goal to also donate 200 backpacks to a school in Liberia, the African nation from which many city immigrants hail.

“We want to take this thing global,” Adams said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: City court officer Woodrow Adams Jr. seeking donations for Aug. 6 backpack giveaway event