For more than a decade, the North Bellmore School District received a generous donation of backpacks and school supplies from Abigail Ptacek, with the goal of helping students in need.

Her first donation of seven backpacks came when she was 8 years old and walked to Martin Avenue Elementary School from her grandparents’ house nearby pulling a red wagon. Since then, the donations have grown larger every year. Abigail recently visited the district office to donate 75 backpacks filled with school supplies. Additionally, she contributed three bins of supplies for new teachers. Superintendent Marie Testa and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Janet Pollitt accepted the donation.

The district’s principals and members of the pupil personnel services staff determine how to distribute the backpacks to families within the school community. Over the years, Abigail, a rising college sophomore, has donated more than 700 backpacks to support North Bellmore students.

Date Added: 8/21/2025