Steph McNally, Grace Cathedral Formation Program Manager for Children, Youth, Families and Adults and the Ven. Cn. Nina Pickerrell, Owner and Operator of Bayview Mission
We are delighted to be sharing the outcome of our 2024 backpack drive. We exceeded our goal, with 160 backpacks, water bottles and handwritten notes distributed to young people preparing to return to school.
It was moving beyond words to be present with the children and youth at Bayview Mission as they received backpacks bursting with supplies, gorgeous water bottles, and beautiful cards addressed just to them.
As one volunteer shared, “Looking at all the children’s smiling and joy when picking out their favorite backpacks was a precious experience.”
We heard from a partner organization of Bayview Mission that distributed some of the backpacks to families how impactful these items were:
“(T)he impact is HUGE. These kids will now walk into school with excitement and enthusiasm for the new year. And these packs also send a message that their community welcomes them and is invested in their success.”
There are so many people to thank for the success of our drive, more than we could hope to name in this blog!
Thank you to the staff, Congregation Council, and congregations of Grace Cathedral, including our yoga community, who gifted their treasures, time, and talents to this initiative. Thank you to all who contributed to our drive for items, wrote cards, and lent their hands and humor to the final packing effort!
Special thanks to the Grace Cathedral Stitching Ministry who crafted caps for each child.
Thank you to the Diocese of California who supplied wonderful water bottles to ensure our young people remain hydrated and healthy through the day. These bottles absolutely made the backpacks come to life.
Thank you to the many volunteers who took part in giving the backpacks to children at Bayview Mission.
This ministry—which the Ven. Cn. Nina Pickerrll has led for so many years with such grace, vision, and faith—is transformative.
One volunteer shared, “I was once one of the children standing in line for a backpack. It is a good feeling to be part of today’s event.”
We are all blessed to be part of this great community of love!
