Each year Christmas Magic partners with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in collection drives for new school supplies and backpacks for Long Island’s homeless and at risk children. Up to 4,000 new backpacks with age-appropriate school supplies are distributed through emergency shelters, foster care facilities, and directly to children in need.

 

In addition to the distribution of the backpacks, we provide a one-day summer camp experience for up to 425 children from emergency shelters. Our Backpack Pirates event is held a Long Island camp in August. The children participate in swimming, sports, treasure hunts and arts and crafts. Each child leaves with a backpack full of new school supplies, new school clothes and – perhaps for some, most importantly – a story of a fun summer vacation experience. The new backpacks and clothing, as well as their summer camp experience, equip the children with tools to help them start their school year on the right foot.  

 

Backpack Pirates is made possible through the generosity of individual, business and corporate donors, and dozens of volunteers who make this event a success.