Feb. 12, 2019: East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA) seventh grade student Emilie Agamie is collecting toiletries/personal care items for "Emilie's Shelf" to assist families in need at the Branford Counseling Center's (BCC) Basic Needs Program.

A Branford resident, Agamie has been collecting toiletries for the BCC Basic Needs Program on her birthday since the second grade. The idea came about because of an overflow of toiletry items in her home closest, many of which were samples from hotels they didn't use.  A thought came to her mind of how these items could be used to help Branford families in need.

Over the past several years Agamie has requested from family and friends instead of giving her birthday presents to contribute to "Emilie's Shelf" -- literally, her own shelf at BCC designated for her collected contributions to help those in need. Additionally Agamie took her idea to school and over the years has asked students to contribute to her outreach program.

Last year, over 1,200 items were collected for Branford residents in need! Agamie remains committed to continuing her mission.

"As a citizen of Branford it is our duty to be loyal and to help others in need," she said.

Agamie will be receiving contributions for Emilie's Shelf at ESCA until the end of February before moving them to BCC.  Items being collected include bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toilet paper, razors, dental floss, body powder, toothpaste, shaving cream, diapers and baby wipes.

About ESCA: A STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Arts and Mathematics) Model and Successor School of Our Lady of Mercy School(Madison) and St. Mary School (Branford), East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA) began operating in 2018 and is the only Catholic elementary school (grades PreK to 8) on the east shoreline from Madison to New Haven. Sponsored by three parishes in the Archdiocese of Hartford, ESCA is one of three Archdiocesan STREAM academies.  ESCA is located at 62 Cedar St. in Branford CT. For more information, call (203) 488-8385 or visit eastshorelinecatholicacademy.org