Operation Backpack Children’s Foundation
2008 Year-end Summary
The year began, sadly with pleas from Mercy for underwear & socks for teens! We decided rather than put these items in backpacks, that we will just keep A Childs Place supplied with underwear for all ages and gender, as well as socks, pajamas, and hats and gloves. The backpacks will have the other necessary personal items, toothbrush, and paste, soap, combs, brushes, etc as well as stuffed animals and age appropriate games, books, and supplies. We're glad to hear they now have a dedicated room for our supplies! While we still wish there wasn’t a need for what we offer, we are pleased to be able to provide for the needs of these children.
April is National Child Abuse Awareness month…Lexus offered to donate $50.00 for every car sold in April! The two Pittsburgh stores sold 153 and to make it even better the dealership matched the donation! Thank you Lexus of North Hills and Rohrich Lexus!!! Do the math, and you’ll see why we LOVE Lexus!!!
June 30th brought about our 4th Annual Ladies Golf Outing, Around the World in 18 Holes , held at St Clair Country Club. This year we partnered with Goldstock Jewelers for an amazing auction of wonderful jewelry. We are sorry we made all the women cry with our stories, but the reasons we exist are heart breaking. BUT, the event was a wonderful success! Best of all, we were able to present Dr Mary Carrasco, the director at A Childs Place at Mercy with a check for $20,000.00. We are honored to be involved with such an incredible woman.
August, again a very busy month with shopping, stuffing and distributing backpacks! Seventy [70] to Indiana County's Child Advocacy Center, sixty, [60], to Lawrence County's CAC for their high risk kids, we even sent ninety, [90], to Erie County's CAC, where we were told they were immediately went to the CYS office and were in the hands of children there within 48 hours! Family Links “Back to School” picnic receives 130 backpacks.
Prevention of Youth Violence, receives around 200 backpacks per year. They serve at risk youth in the Lincoln-Lemington area! Thanks Patricia for doing all you do!!!
Through the always connected Kathy Slencak, we had an informative lunch meeting and were introduced to three organizations that are also doing wonderful things for children in our area, Girls Hope of Pittsburgh, Mel Blount Youth home, and Genesis.
December was a big sigh of relief that another year was behind us! We were able to host a wonderful pre-holiday cocktail party and were able thank all our sponsors, supporters, and volunteers in 2008. Café Euro was spectacular and delicious! The event was graciously underwritten by the Dunlap Foundation. An added bonus was that we also managed to have some wonderful auction items and turned it into a mini fundraiser!
Yes, we have no shame….hey its all about the kids!