Operation Backpack Children’s Foundation
2006 Year-end Summary
We continue to be very busy just keeping up with the demand for backpacks. We receive requests monthly from local organizations in need of essential for their ‘kids’ and these kids range in age from 1-17 so we are learning to diversify a little! The number of backpacks leaving our offices each month runs close to 150! We also continue to receive tremendous support from people and companies locally who have been invaluable to our organization, some of whom have asked for anonymity, but we are forever grateful for their support!
In April, National Child Abuse Awareness Month, we kicked off our Blue Ribbon campaign, which similar to the breast cancer pink ribbon, is meant to raise awareness about the horrors of child abuse. Our theme was ‘Do 1 Thing’and along with our blue ribbons, we passed out bookmarks that listed suggestions of things you can do to prevent abuse, as well as the numbers where you can report abuse. Also during this important month, we used electric billboards on the Parkway going into town to bring attention to Shaken Baby Syndrome. Thank you to our friends at Lamar Advertising and Rohrich Lexus!
On April 24th we sponsored a breakfast seminar for area school district counselors, IP directors, and administrators, to increase awareness on the dangers of internet predators. The seminar featured US District Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, FBI agent Denise Holt, and Tom Clinton, US Postal Inspector. It was highly informative and very well received by all who attended. It was a busy month!
July brought the 2nd annual ladies golf outing at Saint Clair Country Club, “A Chair-A-Tee”. Local artists hand painted a variety of children’s chairs that were auctioned off, along with many other unique items. The event was attended by 150 women and raised nearly $30,000.00. Senator John Pippy and his wife attended the event and updated our guests on pending legislation regarding children’s rights and child abuse issues on the floor of the house and senate.
We again presented a check to representatives from ‘A Child’s Place’ at Mercy for $10,000.00 to be used for police training on their Cop Car Project. (This is a program developed to stream line the investigative process when dealing with child abuse cases. It gives step by step instructions on what to do.)
As usual November and December brought a variety of requests for toys, gifts, and gift cards for children who might go without anything over the holidays. As sad as it seems we are so happy to distribute toys and gifts to these kids, it makes it all worthwhile! Sommerset Children’s Home, Family Links, several families in the Carnegie area, and families recommended by local churches are just some of our recipients.
Again, we can never forget all the people who help us through out the year! Not just with donations of money and goods, but with their time!! We could never complete this work without those who so unselfishly volunteer their time. THANK YOU ALL!