Who would have known that four years ago the words "Mommy, I need to help them!" would have changed our lives so dramatically?
In December 2006, my husband and I were reading the newspaper and discussing a homeless man pictured on the front and how sad we thought it was. Our son Stephen – five years old at the time -- came into the kitchen and asked: "Mommy, are there kids on the street?" I told them that, unfortunately, there were."I need to help them !" Stephen stated. "How?" I asked. Stephen didn't know, but wanted to think about it.
A week or so later he came back to us and said he wanted to make "Packbacks". He collected some of his newer toys, and gave instructions for other items such as crayons, candy, toys, mittens, hats and books. As a family that year, we did 15 to encourage this wonderful idea. Stephen had faced so many challenges of his own – sensory issues due to him being on the autistic spectrum -- that we were delighted. We wanted to encourage this new desire of his to help homeless children. A great Christmas to remember, we thought!
In November 2007, Stephen came to us again. "It’s Christmas, but are there still children on the street?" he asked. My response, with sadness, was yes. "I need to make bigger backpacks!” he yelled. Our local newspaper interviewed Stephen and when he was asked how many he wanted to make this year, he said 150. I almost fell off my chair.
"Stephen, that is a lot of backpacks. We only made 15 last year." And Stephen said: "Mommy, you have to dream out loud!" Total backpacks for 2007 was an astounding 265. In 2008, we were recognized as a national charity, and our numbers more than tripled to 1,025 backpacks delivered to Red Deer, Edmonton, Airdrie and Calgary.
Stephen started a Footprints campaign to add to this in 2008 where he collected 600 new pairs of running shoes for homeless children so they could school on the right foot. In 2009 he collected a staggering 1,100 new pairs.
Nancy McPhee wrote a book called Dream Out Loud about Stephen's journey that was sold across Alberta in 2008 and the proceeds got two families off the street with furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies, food, tokens, clothes, and even a Christmas tree with decorations, presents and stockings.
Now with two assembly locations -- one in Airdrie and one in Calgary -- collections centers in four cities, schools on board, more than 250 volunteers and more than 350 corporate sponsors, Stephen has just had his Highland Kickoff for 2009: "Piping dreams of peace and joy into the life of a homeless child this Christmas!"
Stephen was asked by Global News this August: "How long will you do this, Stephen?" With passion, he said: “I won't stop until there are no more children on the street!"
A little boy, a small seed, a dream, a reality ... can you hear the piper this Christmas?
Come on Alberta! Dream Out Loud with Stephen – www.stephensbackpacks.com
-- Nancy McPhee
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