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.
Year ten 2021
Backpacks of Dreams visited the Dominican Republic again in August 2021. Volunteers traveled to several schools, distributing school supplies, toys, and hygiene items. They also offered hygiene workshops and joined the kids in various activities. This year, the organization reached more than 1,100 children, ages 5 to 17, making sure each one received a backpack with pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
Because of your generous support and donations this year, Backpacks of Dreams was able to continue our work. However, we were unable to hold our annual dental mission due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We truly appreciate your understanding during these challenging times and are grateful for your ongoing commitment, which helps us make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Although we missed the opportunity to carry out this important event, we look forward to resuming our dental mission in the future and continuing to provide valuable services to our community.
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.
Because of your generous support and donations this year, Backpacks of Dreams was able to continue our work. However, we were unable to hold our annual dental mission due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We truly appreciate your understanding during these challenging times and are grateful for your ongoing commitment, which helps us make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Although we missed the opportunity to carry out this important event, we look forward to resuming our dental mission in the future and continuing to provide valuable services to our community.
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 Eleven 2022
Backpacks of Dreams visited the Dominican Republic again in August 2022. Volunteers traveled to several schools, distributing school supplies, toys, and hygiene items. They also offered hygiene workshops and joined the kids in various activities. This year, the organization reached more than 1,100 children, ages 5 to 17, making sure each one received a backpack with pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
Thanks to your support and donations this year, Backpacks of Dreams held our fourth dental mission, providing free dental care to 222 children. We hope to help even more kids in 2023. None of this could happen without the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities from both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams is truly grateful for everyone’s commitment, which encourages us to keep helping children in need.
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.
Thanks to your support and donations this year, Backpacks of Dreams held our fourth dental mission, providing free dental care to 222 children. We hope to help even more kids in 2023. None of this could happen without the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities from both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams is truly grateful for everyone’s commitment, which encourages us to keep helping children in need.
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 Thirteen 2023
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic in August 2023. Volunteers visited 15 schools, distributing school supplies, toys, and hygiene items. We also offered hygiene lessons and joined in activities with the kids. This year, the organization reached over 1,252 children ages 5 to 17, making sure each child received a backpack filled with supplies like pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
Thanks to your support and donations, Backpacks of Dreams held the annual dental missions this year, providing free dental care to 220 children. We aim to help even more kids in 2024. None of this would be possible without the ongoing generosity of our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. We are truly grateful to everyone who made this possible. Your dedication inspires us to keep delivering these essential resources to children in need next year.
Visit our Events page to find upcoming fundraisers and activities, discover more about Backpacks of Dreams, and see how you can help make a difference for children in need.
Thanks to your support and donations, Backpacks of Dreams held the annual dental missions this year, providing free dental care to 220 children. We aim to help even more kids in 2024. None of this would be possible without the ongoing generosity of our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. We are truly grateful to everyone who made this possible. Your dedication inspires us to keep delivering these essential resources to children in need next year.
Visit our Events page to find upcoming fundraisers and activities, discover more about Backpacks of Dreams, and see how you can help make a difference for children in need.
Year Fourtheen 2024
Backpacks of Dreams returned to the Dominican Republic in August 2024. Volunteers visited multiple schools, handing out school supplies, toys, and hygiene products. They also led hygiene workshops and participated in activities with the kids. This year, the organization helped over 1,100 children between the ages of 5 and 17, ensuring every child got a backpack filled with pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
With your support and donations this year, Backpacks of Dreams held its fourth dental mission, offering free dental care to 120 children. We aim to reach even more kids in 2025. This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities from both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams is deeply thankful for everyone’s dedication, which inspires us to continue helping children in need.
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.
With your support and donations this year, Backpacks of Dreams held its fourth dental mission, offering free dental care to 120 children. We aim to reach even more kids in 2025. This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities from both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Backpacks of Dreams is deeply thankful for everyone’s dedication, which inspires us to continue helping children in need.
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 Fiftheen 2025
Backpacks of Dreams made their way back to the Dominican Republic in August 2025. Volunteers traveled to 15 different schools, handing out school supplies, toys, and hygiene essentials. They also provided hygiene lessons and took part in activities with the kids. This year, the organization was able to support more than 1,425 children between the ages of 5 and 17, ensuring that every child received a backpack packed with supplies such as pencils, erasers, paper, and notebooks.
With your generous support and donations, Backpacks of Dreams was able to host its annual dental missions this year, offering free dental care to 160 children. We’re hoping to reach even more kids in 2026. This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible contributions from our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. We sincerely appreciate everyone who helped make this happen. Your commitment motivates us to continue providing these valuable services to children in need next year.
Visit our Events page to find upcoming fundraisers and activities, discover more about Backpacks of Dreams, and see how you can help make a difference for children in need.
With your generous support and donations, Backpacks of Dreams was able to host its annual dental missions this year, offering free dental care to 160 children. We’re hoping to reach even more kids in 2026. This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible contributions from our supporters, volunteers, local schools, and communities in both the United States and the Dominican Republic. We sincerely appreciate everyone who helped make this happen. Your commitment motivates us to continue providing these valuable services to children in need next year.
Visit our Events page to find upcoming fundraisers and activities, discover more about Backpacks of Dreams, and see how you can help make a difference for children in need.