By Halle Newman

This Christmas, 13 year-old Burlington resident Logan Morey and his mom, Shannon Morey, decided to spread their Christmas spirit in the form of giving. Just last week, they launched a project to fill backpacks with practical gifts for local youth and families in need.

The Moreys got this idea while volunteering at Spectrum Youth and Family Services. Spectrum is a local organization that supports young adults (ages 12-26) and their families with basic needs, shelter, life skills, and counseling.

“While volunteering, my mom noticed that the youth coming into the center were either carrying their belongings or storing them in garbage bags,” 13-year-old Logan Morey wrote in a statement he put out to Shelburne Community School. “At that moment, we decided that each person that comes to the drop in center deserves to have a bag to call their own.”

Once the idea sparked, Logan Morey began spreading the word about the “Back at-it Packs”.

“We decided…that we were going to raise money [and] donations for thirty backpacks,” Logan Morey said in an interview with The Register. “We were asking businesses, families, [and] schools.”

The young entrepreneur even gave a presentation to the fifth and fourth graders at Shelburne Community School, where his Grandmother teaches. He also made a facebook page called @BackatitPacksVT.

The Moreys report that they are on track to reach their goal of 30 backpacks by Christmas Eve.

“We have almost all the backpacks,” Logan Morey said. “A lot of different people are donating right now.”

Still, the Moreys need help to reach their goal.

“We have not met the quota for all the stuff in the backpacks,” Shannon Morey said. On the Back-at-it Packs Facebook, the Moreys asked people to donate items like warm socks and toothbrushes to fill the backpacks with.

“Anytime anyone wants to donate anything, we’re more than happy to go pick it up anywhere,” Shannon Morey said.

People who want to donate can reach out to the Moreys via their Facebook (@BackatitPacksVT).

The duo plans to extend their project beyond just the Christmas season.

“We are going to continuously do different fundraisers,” Shannon Morey said. “We are also thinking about maybe speaking at some different local businesses or organizations.”

Shannon Morey also said that she and her son are open to new ideas that work for businesses and organizations.

“It’s still very new,” Shannon Morey said. “This all kind of came together last week.”

The Moreys are accepting donations up until this Sunday, and will drop off the Back at-it Packs to Spectrum on Christmas Eve.
Learn more about @BackatitPacksVT by visiting their Facebook page, and stay tuned for more updates on this up-and-coming organization. To learn more about Spectrum, sign up for volunteering, or donate, visit their website http://www.spectrumvt.org/ or visit their Facebook page @spectrumvermont.

The official list of needed items for the Back at-it Packs includes:

• Warm socks

• Hand warmers

• Toothbrush/toothpaste

• Travel case for toothbrush

• Gum

• Gift cards ($5-$15) for Dunkin’ Donuts and City Market

• Deodorant

• Water bottle 

• Monetary donations