PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — When Cheryl Morris thinks of her son Adam MacDonald, she remembers the joy he felt while giving back to the community.
These days Morris is honoring her son’s memory by contributing to one of his most cherished causes: the Stuff the Bus school supply drive hosted by Aroostook County Action Program and United Way of Aroostook.
MacDonald died in April at the age of 35 after dealing with the challenges of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy for most of his life. For several years prior to MacDonald’s death, he and his mother shopped for backpacks and school supplies and donated their purchases to Stuff the Bus.
“He put a lot of thought into what to buy and always used his own money,” Morris said. “It made him feel proud to help other people.”
After hearing a radio announcement about Stuff the Bus, Morris decided to continue the tradition that her son helped her begin. She encouraged family members and friends on her Facebook page to purchase school supplies or donate money so that she could buy as many items as possible.
In one week, Morris collected $321 and shopped for hundreds of backpacks, notebooks, crayon and pencil packages, binders and other school supplies at local stores. She also received shipments of items from family members and others whom she and MacDonald knew from the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy advocacy community.
“Adam had many loyal supporters throughout the years for any event or cause he supported,” Morris said. “He had a big heart. I wish he could’ve been with me while shopping.”
On Thursday, Aug. 5, Morris stopped by the United Way office and Stuff the Bus live donation drive at the Walmart in Presque Isle. The visits allowed staff and volunteers to thank Morris for her generosity and to hear the story behind this year’s donations.
Sarah Ennis, executive director of United Way, said that Morris’ donations came at just the right time: when she and her staff were getting ready to fill backpacks and prepare to give them to local children.
“Adam’s generous spirit is staying alive through Cheryl,” Ennis said.
Every year, Stuff the Bus provides school supplies to around 700 K-12 students whose families are identified as low income. Folks are encouraged to purchase school supplies and drop them off in designated Stuff the Bus boxes or during live donation drives at the Presque Isle and Houlton Walmart stores.
With Morris’ donations, United Way and ACAP will serve even more students in a year when many families have faced more financial struggles, noted Sherry Locke, ACAP director of advancement.
“Cheryl is an inspiration to us all. During her time of sorrow, she continues to think of others and remind us of the importance of being active in our community,” Locke said. “I know that Adam is smiling down on her as she fills pencil cases and backpacks.”
Morris said that she has been grateful for the support of people who have donated in MacDonald’s memory. She hopes to continue giving to Stuff the Bus every year to ensure that his giving spirit remains part of her life.
“Adam was always smiling; he loved being around people. He knew how to reach into his heart and help people in need” Morris said. “I hope that next year more people donate as a way to remember him.”
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — August 4, 2021 — Cheryl Morris (right) poses with United Way executive director Sarah Ennis (middle) and finance administrator Sue Watson after donating backpacks and school supplies toward United Way’s and ACAP’s Stuff the Bus program. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Cheryl Morris holds up a photo of herself and her late son Adam MacDonald while shopping for back-to-school supplies. Morris has donated supplies to the Stuff the Bus drive in memory of her son. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
