Our mission is simple...

The mission of Operation Backpack Children’s Foundation is to help abused and neglected children in Allegheny County, and surrounding counties. We hope to raise awareness of the increasing incidence of this horrendous crime in our own backyard. We currently supply 100 backpacks a month to children being placed into foster care. Our backpacks are filled with essential items, as well as things that are comforting and fun, for children who are being removed from the only home they have ever known, with just the clothes on their back. Our intention is to give them something they can call their own and hopefully make their transition a little easier.

We don't think we will change the world by providing these kids a backpack, but hopefully it will offer them some sort of comfort while adjusting to their new home.

We have started many local programs, prevention initiatives and fund raising events to help spread the word in our community, creating awareness that prevention is possible. We are a family of friends, professionals, and parents who are interested in preventing child abuse and neglect before it ever starts.
Together, we can make a difference!

Read on for what we accomplished in 2007!!!

This past year, 2007, proved to be a very busy year for all of us! We continue to provide over 150 backpacks a month to ‘A Child's Place at Mercy' and several area organizations including ‘Family Links', and other local children's homes who have enlisted our help.

On March 10, 2007, without skipping a beat, Kelly delivered her third baby, a beautiful little girl, Alexa Marie! And just like the ‘Eveready Bunny', she kept going & going!

In July we had our annual ladies golf event at St. Clair Country Club raising close to $25,000. That evening we presented a $20,000 check to Dr. Mary Carasco of ‘A Child's Place' for the purchase of a culposcope, an important and much needed instrument in the genital examinations of children who have been victims of sexual abuse.

August proved to be very busy for the backpack needs as many children headed back to school and were short of essential supplies. We provided 185 “Back to School” backpacks for children in the “Family Links” program, in addition to our usual 100 or so to ‘A Child's Place at Mercy!. [Family Links provides temporary 30 day emergency shelter for children, mostly teens, until something more permanent can be arranged. We support and applaud their work in the community.]

In November we visited the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Sexual Assault and Family Crisis Unit. There we discovered a waiting room for families in crisis that desperately needed help! We donated a new couch and table to help make it slightly more comfortable for these families who often have to wait there for long periods of time. The basket of coloring books and crayons were also appreciated!

December is always a hard month for children in foster care, spending the holidays with a new family and not always certain if they will be remembered Christmas morning. This year we purchased gifts for 103 children in the Family Links Shelter. Each child was given a backpack filled with gifts and a $25 Wal-Mart gift card to shop for themselves to purchase personal items. We also donated several gift cards to local families in need as recommended by various social workers, community churches, and outreach organizations.

Sometimes it just the little tokens of assistance that can go a long way.
For instance if a social worker needs a portable DVD player to occupy children while paper work is completed, we will purchase one.

If a waiting room needs a new TV so children can be distracted for a little while, we provide it. We don't have rules or guidelines. If we see a need and can help make a difference, we do. Sometimes it's just a call from an officer about a truly needy family that needs a grocery card, it just may take some stress away from an otherwise desperate situation for that family.

Through out the year we make an effort to keep the shelves at ‘A Child's Place' stocked with clothing, shoes and outerwear for children of all ages. These children often come in with only a tee shirt and diaper, so we make it our business to see there is always clean underwear, socks, PJ's, and warm clothes. We have found that it really is the little things that can make a world of difference.

All of these things happen throughout the year, but none of these things can happen without your support, and for that we are truly and sincerely grateful. On behalf of all of us at Operation Backpack and ALL the children who will never get to thank you personally, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Click here for 2006 Year in Review!
Click here for 2005 Year in Review!