Fundraising campaign looks to support Harwood’s Paul Morris in heart-transplant recovery
February 22, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti Longtime Harwood Unified Union School District employee Paul Morris, who worked as co-director of food services, is recovering from heart transplant surgery at Tufts Medical Center on Jan. 23 and fundraising efforts are underway to support him and his family in his recovery.
Harwood Food Service Co-Director Paul Morris has undergone a heart transplant. Courtesy photo
Morris’ family has been sharing updates on his condition, treatment and progress on a GoFundMe fundraiser website.
“Dad led a very active life prior to his heart condition – he was almost always on the move; skiing, golfing, mountain biking, and gardening were his top four activities. We are all hoping that his heart transplant will allow him to get back to the things he loves to do,” writes Paul’s son Reilly Morris.
The fundraising campaign to date has raised over $127,000 with a goal of $275,000. Friends and family have recently organized a large raffle to contribute to the effort with details on the fundraising site. That runs through March 15. This weekend, multiple Stowe businesses are donating proceeds to the campaign as well. The Morris family has lived in Stowe since 1981.
Known as “Chef Paul,” Morris was executive chef at The Stowehof Inn and Stowe Mountain Resort in the 1990s and early 2000s. He worked as a Food Service director in the Harwood school district for the past 18 years. According to his friends and family, Morris in 2022 was diagnosed with End Stage Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and his worsening condition in recent months led to a heart transplant.
Reilly Morris details the staggering costs associated with the life-saving procedure even with health insurance and explains that contributions from the community “will go directly toward medical bills, medical travel, and post-transplantation care ensuring that my dad has the best chance to heal and enjoy many more years with his family.”
Harwood Superintendent Mike Leichliter recently shared the news of Morris’ surgery with the school community and the fundraising efforts underway to support the family.
“I know that Paul and his family are appreciative of this outpouring of love and support. I also know how caring and supportive our community is to those who are experiencing challenges in life,” he wrote. “As a result, many people have been asking how our HUUSD community can support the Morris family during such an extraordinary situation.”
The ordeal has involved Morris’ wife relocating to Boston during his stay awaiting the transplant, Leichliter explained. “As you can imagine, they are in the midst of figuring out the long-term costs of lifelong immunosuppressants, lost income, changes to insurance, etc.”
Morris’ position with the Harwood district ended at the end of January, Reilly Morris confirmed. “Your donations will also help bridge the gap created by our family’s loss of income and give us peace of mind so we can focus on Paul’s recovery and future,” he writes.
In addition to direct contributions, a raffle
He thanks all who have supported the effort to date and asks for friends to continue to share the campaign.
“You’ve shown us how much love there is for my dad in our community and given us the courage to ask for the support we need,” he writes.
Visit the GoFundMe website for more information on Paul Morris’ condition and progress along with links to the fundraising efforts. The raffle with many prizes from Stowe businesses has a website linked there as well.
Businesses donating 10% of their sales this weekend include Pinnacle Ski & Sports, The Body Lounge, Inner Bootworks, Archery Close, Stowe Living and Front Four Gallery.