Operation Backpack Children’s Foundation
2005 Year-end Summary

This was our first full year in operation, and while it was a very busy, educational experience for us, it was also very successful, but more importantly so very gratifying for all of us. Watching and hearing how just a little backpack filled with necessities and a teddy bear can make significant changes in a scared little child made it all worthwhile.

The local community has been invaluable in supporting our cause and raising awareness about Operation Backpack and child abuse in general.  High school, college, and community organizations have been outstanding in providing volunteer hours helping to stuff backpacks, as well as working our events
They helped us provide an average of 100 backpacks a month, filled with basic necessities to children entering foster care.  These were distributed through the professionals at “A Child’s Place at Mercy.”

We received tremendous support from corporate sponsors like Coury Financial Group, Allpak, Inc., Alpha Packaging, Foley Foundation, Parker Plastics, Premier Industries, Rohrich Automotive Group, and many others who have been invaluable to our early success.

Scion, a new division of Toyota, generously agreed to donate the backpacks that we used for school-age children.  Their charitable donation, at a cost of $6000 per 200 backpacks, is greatly appreciated.   When we run out, they are happy to replenish our stock!
The Pittsburgh Pirates also made a significant donation of 200 logo backpacks.

April  is “National Child Abuse Awareness Month.” and what a great month it was for Operation Backpack!  Central  Atlantic Toyota and the thirteen local Western Pennsylvania Toyota dealers generously agreed to donate $100 per car sold during the month of April.  It was a very successful campaign that also drew support from the local TV and radio stations, which ran numerous commercials promoting the event.  It raised $87,900 for Operation Backpack, which we could not have done without the alliance of our local Toyota dealers!  Thank you Toyota!!

This past August, we hosted the first Ladies golf outing at St. Clair Country Club, “Wine on the Terrace Nine.”  This event was attended by 150 women and raised over $25,000. We took this event and used the it to present a $50,000 grant to A Child’s Place at Mercy, which was used for a training program to educate and co-ordinate the efforts of various organizations throughout Allegheny County.  The focus of this program was to promote awareness and a cross check system so that fewer children slip through the cracks, and all children are directed to the appropriate agencies for care, protection, or treatment.

We also donated several combination TV/VCR units that were placed in the waiting rooms at A Child’s Place at Mercy.  These children are scared, nervous, and often wait for long periods of time before undergoing difficult forensic physical exams.

In November we provided backpacks and Christmas gifts to children in various shelters around the city.
We purchased toys and gift cards to give to 13 of the family centers in Allegany County.
Wal-Mart gift cards went to several families in our area with foster children to be used for Christmas gifts. 

December, brought about our first “Shopping with a Twist,” fundraiser.  This was a wonderful event held at the Club at Nevillewood.  We asked unique and high-end retailers to bring their wares to a central location, while invited guests shopped and enjoyed cocktails and hors d’ouerves.  This event generated close to $10,000.

Thank you to all who helped in our first year, you’ve made a difference in many children’s lives!

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