Year One, 2011
Our first undertaking to help children started in the Dominican Republic. Jose Peralta, our founder, was raised there in the small town of La Vega. In September 2010, we contacted a local school to see how we would be able to help some of their students who are less fortunate. The school provided us a list of 60 children who were in need of school supplies.
Over the next six months, our volunteers collected the requested materials and donations. With their outstanding efforts, all 60 students received backpacks full of school supplies. Some of the volunteers applied their professional medical knowledge to teach the children about the importance of hygiene and potential dangers in their region, such as washing hands and avoiding standing water.
Many of the students who received backpacks visit a local church after school. At the church they work on school assignments, participate in activities afterschool activities and enjoy a meal or snack. Backpacks of Dreams was fortunate enough to visit the church, participate in many of the students activities and sponsor a dinner. Backpacks of Dreams continues to send food supplies to the church throughout the year.
Over the next six months, our volunteers collected the requested materials and donations. With their outstanding efforts, all 60 students received backpacks full of school supplies. Some of the volunteers applied their professional medical knowledge to teach the children about the importance of hygiene and potential dangers in their region, such as washing hands and avoiding standing water.
Many of the students who received backpacks visit a local church after school. At the church they work on school assignments, participate in activities afterschool activities and enjoy a meal or snack. Backpacks of Dreams was fortunate enough to visit the church, participate in many of the students activities and sponsor a dinner. Backpacks of Dreams continues to send food supplies to the church throughout the year.
Year Two, 2012
After our amazing experience in February2011, Backpacks of Dreams established a goal to aid the lives of at least 100 children in 2012. Armed with a new target, volunteers enhanced their efforts over the next twelve months.
Backpacks of Dreams planned to visit the same school in La Vega and an orphanage in the area. The orphanage houses approximately 45 children at any time. Volunteers were given the opportunity to spend the day at the orphanage and interact with the children. All orphans received school supplies, clothing, toys and games.
Volunteers continued their tradition of personally visiting the Dominican Republic and giving the children their backpacks and other supplies. We surpassed our goal and distributed supplies to more than 100 children.
Backpacks of Dreams planned to visit the same school in La Vega and an orphanage in the area. The orphanage houses approximately 45 children at any time. Volunteers were given the opportunity to spend the day at the orphanage and interact with the children. All orphans received school supplies, clothing, toys and games.
Volunteers continued their tradition of personally visiting the Dominican Republic and giving the children their backpacks and other supplies. We surpassed our goal and distributed supplies to more than 100 children.
Year Three, 2013
Backpacks of Dreams grew substantially in its third year. We were able to visit three different schools and distribute supplies to over 300 children. Children and their families also received clothing, which was collected throughout the year.
Two of our largest contributors for our 2013 journey was St. Brendan Catholic High School and Christ Catholic Church, both located in Miami, Florida. Students and faculty at St. Brendan collected school supplies and clothing during a weeklong School Supply Drive they held.
Two of our largest contributors for our 2013 journey was St. Brendan Catholic High School and Christ Catholic Church, both located in Miami, Florida. Students and faculty at St. Brendan collected school supplies and clothing during a weeklong School Supply Drive they held.
Year Four, 2014
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic in February 2014. Eleven volunteers participated in traveling to five different schools. The volunteers handed out school supplies, provided hygiene courses, and participated in two different movie days for the children.
Backpacks of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 550 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 years old and all 550 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the volunteers, donations, and local communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciates the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 600 children in 2015.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Backpacks of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 550 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 years old and all 550 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the volunteers, donations, and local communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciates the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 600 children in 2015.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Year Five, 2015
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic in February 2015. Nine volunteers participated in traveling to seven different schools. The volunteers handed out school supplies, toys and hygiene supply, also provided hygiene courses, and participated in different activities with the children.
Backpack of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 620 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 years old and all 620 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the volunteers, donations, and local communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 800 children in 2016.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Backpack of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 620 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 years old and all 620 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the volunteers, donations, and local communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 800 children in 2016.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Year Six, 2016
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic August 17 August 22, 2016. 14 volunteers participated in traveling to six different schools. The volunteers handed out school supplies, toys and hygiene supply, also provided hygiene courses, and participated in different activities with the children.
Backpack of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 825 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 years old and all 825 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks. This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our first dental Mission, were 162 children receive dental care our goal is to double the number of children for 2017.
These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the volunteers, donations, and local communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 850 children in 2017
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Backpack of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 825 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 16 years old and all 825 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks. This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our first dental Mission, were 162 children receive dental care our goal is to double the number of children for 2017.
These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the volunteers, donations, and local communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 850 children in 2017
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Year seven, 2017
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic August 1 till August 6, 2017. 15 volunteers participated in traveling to 9 different schools. The volunteers handed out school supplies, toys and hygiene supply, also provided hygiene courses, and participated in different activities with the children. Backpack of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 1400 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 17 years old and all 1400 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our second dental Mission, were 144 children receive dental care at no cost to them, our goal is to double the number of children for 2018. These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the Supporters, volunteers, donations from locol school and communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 1200 children in 2018.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our second dental Mission, were 144 children receive dental care at no cost to them, our goal is to double the number of children for 2018. These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the Supporters, volunteers, donations from locol school and communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 1200 children in 2018.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Year eight, 2018
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic August 8 till August 12, 2018. 21 volunteers participated in traveling to 10 different schools. The volunteers handed out school supplies, toys and hygiene supply, also provided hygiene courses, and participated in different activities with the children. Backpack of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 1,150 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 17 years old and all 1,150 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our third dental Mission, were 160 children receive dental care at no cost to them, our goal is to increase the number of children for 2019. These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the Supporters, volunteers, donations from local school and communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 1,300 children in 2019.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our third dental Mission, were 160 children receive dental care at no cost to them, our goal is to increase the number of children for 2019. These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the Supporters, volunteers, donations from local school and communities in Miami and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support from everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams to set a new goal of providing supplies to 1,300 children in 2019.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
Year nine, 2019
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic July 29 till August 4, 2019. Many volunteers participated in traveling to 15 different schools. The volunteers handed out school supplies, toys and hygiene supply, also provided hygiene courses and participated in different activities with the children. Backpack of Dreams was able to touch the lives of over 1,489 children this year. The children ranged in age from 5 to 17 years old and all 1,489 children received school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our four dental Mission, where 187 children receive dental care at no cost to them, our goal is to increase the number of children for 2020. These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the Supporters, volunteers, donations from the local school and many communities throughout the United States and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support of everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams is to continue to provide these essential supplies to the children’s in need in 2020.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.
This year with your support and donation Backpacks of Dreams was able to bring our four dental Mission, where 187 children receive dental care at no cost to them, our goal is to increase the number of children for 2020. These accomplishments would not be possible without the continued support of all the Supporters, volunteers, donations from the local school and many communities throughout the United States and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams appreciate the support of everyone involved. The level of commitment demonstrated by all has inspired Backpacks of Dreams is to continue to provide these essential supplies to the children’s in need in 2020.
Please see our Events page for upcoming fundraisers and events to attend, learn more about Backpacks of Dreams, and for opportunities to help change the lives of children in need.