This year’s Back-to-School Backpack event was a great success, surpassing our initial goal. We aimed to equip 300 children with school-ready backpacks filled with supplies, treats, and a little extra joy. Thanks to the dedication and efforts of our SEET (Special Events and Engagement Team) volunteers and their fundraising activities, we successfully distributed 372 backpacks this year.

We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in making this event possible, including the wm+a and AlphaBee teams who played essential roles in planning, coordinating, and executing fundraising events such as Valentines Candy-Grams, the Backpack Donation Program, Krispy Kreme Doughnut sales, and more. A special thank you goes to our donor for providing beauty and wellness products, which offered additional support to mothers, caregivers, and family members attending the event.

We were happy to once again support organizations like the Daily Bread Food Bank, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, Autism Ontario, Family Services Toronto, and others, helping us to broaden our impact within the community. It was rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of children and youth as they chose their favorite backpacks and supplies.

We appreciate the feedback and messages we received from families, expressing their gratitude and encouraging us to continue growing this initiative. Your input motivates us to aim higher, and we are committed to making next year’s event even more impactful. Thank you to everyone who supported us. Together, we are making a difference — one backpack at a time.