What began as a singular effort to honor the memory of a loved one quickly turned into a community-wide backpack drive within a couple of weeks.

Teena Miranda, mother of the late Trey Miranda, who passed away on June 5 from brain cancer at the age of 17, said she would normally be shopping for school supplies for her son around this time and wanted something to do.

Trey first underwent treatment for a brain tumor when he was 8 years old. Though the tumor was successfully removed, doctors warned there was a chance more tumors would follow.

In November 2015, Trey started experiencing symptoms. He began a combination of radiation, chemotherapy and steroidal treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital. The regimen was designed to remove two stage 4 (inoperable) tumors wrapped around his brain stem.

Trey brought the community together with his courageous fight and enthusiasm for life. When Miranda posted her efforts for a backpack drive on Facebook, the response from the community was incredible, she said.

"The community ended up buying backpacks," she said. "I have over 100 backpacks. They're all going to be filled with supplies and everything [the students] need."

Fifty of the backpacks were donated by members in the Wareham community.

Earlier last week, Miranda was invited by a friend to speak in front of the Fairhaven Rotary Club. She went with a few of Trey's friends and explained their efforts.

The Rotary Club will donate 50 backpacks filled with supplies by Aug. 22, a week before the start of school on Aug. 29.

Miranda said the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford/Wareham will receive at least 25 backpacks, the Wareham Headstart Program will receive 10 backpacks, and the rest will go to Wareham Middle School and Wareham High School.

"I just thought of this two weeks ago," Miranda said. "I didn't know it was going to be like this."

Miranda is following a list of recommended and required supplies for children. Still short on some supplies like binders, donations are welcomed and can be delivered to 20B Old Onset Road.