Dream Out Loud is finally available!
Dream Out Loud was written by Nancy McPhee who is the director of Stephen's Backpacks For Children In Need Society as well as Stephen's mother. The book outlines the inspiring journey Stephen and his family embarked upon that brought them to where they are today.
My name is Stephen McPhee. My favorite color is blue and I love animals and dinosaurs. My best friend is Autumn.
When I was six years old in grade 1, my Mom and Dad helped me to make backpacks for kids on the street in Calgary at Christmas time. I did not think it was fair that we got so much and the kids on the street did not even have a bed to sleep in. We made 15 backpacks and my favorite was doing baby backpacks.
Last Christmas I wanted to make more so my sister helped me write a letter and tons of companies and people in Aridrie helped make over 265 backpacks. Every backpack had a huge bow and lots of neat toys and mittens and school stuff inside. We had fun in a donated school bus taking them to Inn from the Cold on Christmas Eve.
This year I want to help even more. I need your help. I want every child to wake up in the morning at Christmas and have a gift of a backpack. That way at school during the year they can remember that another kid cares.
This Christmas my dream is to be like Santa and fly all over the world bringing backpacks to homeless kids. Mom says we should start with Edmonton! I don't want to fly in a sleigh - instead I would like to fly in a helicopter!
If I could have one wish come true it would be to get homeless kids a house with lots of toys, storybooks and green grass to play on.
The History and key events of Stephen's Backpacks
|
Stephen Leaves a Footprint |
||
|
What a wonderful outpouring of love again from our community to support Stephen in his passion to make sure all children have new shoes to start school!! A luxury for these kids; and something we simply take for granted. Ths year 1500 pairs of new running shoes will find their way to children in need across Alberta. Aug 14th we will be assembling in our Airdrie Warehouse and Aug 20th we will deliver to the shelters receiving these wonderful gifts of hope for kids to start school. Stephen again in his humble way; leaves a Footprint on many lives of children in need. |
||
|
|
July 1st Piping in Canada Day! With a Whole Lotta Country!! |
||
|
Footprints, a program of Stephen's Backpacks will officially kick off it's campaign to provide new running shoes to children in need this July 1st for 2010. Stephen will be there! Come out and meet the nine year old who started this National charity when he was only five years old; to reach out to children in need with a Christmas Backpack gift and new running shoes for school. The biggest barbeque ever at The Real Canadian Superstore, Airdrie Jul 1st from 11-4pm with entertainment of Highland Dancers, Piper, Featuring singers Anita Anderson and Tamara. Bring out the whole family and make sure to get your coupon for discounts in the Airdire Echo or Airdrie Cityview. We will be handing coupons out at the parade also. Enjoy one of Alberta's greatest Jul 1st parade's and then come over to Superstore and bring the whole family for great food and fun! |
||
|
|
April 2010 Fire Devastates and Leaves Four Families Homeless in Airdrie! |
||
|
Stephen reacted immediately to meet the needs of all of the children in Airdrie's devastatating fire just before the Home and Garden Show. Backpacks filled to overflowing with many pairs of shoes, sandals, school supplies, blankets, new summer clothes, toys, treats, hygiene items and much more were delivered to the Ramada Hotel to bring a smile to the children from the recent fire here in Airdrie. Our prayers continue to be with the families and the many other residents raising funds to help support their loss. Airdrie again proves to be the most compassionate city...when the going gets tough everyone pitches in!!! Proud to be a part of it all!! |
||
|
|
February 14th Hugs to Haiti |
||
|
When Stephen saw the news of the devastation in Haiti after the earthquake, he wanted to know where the children would live and with no Mommy and Daddy, he wanted to know...who would hug them? Hugs to Haiti was born sending 250 survival backpacks and taking part in filling a huge sea container filled with crutches, medical supplies, food, clothes, blankets and much more, to hug the children in the middle of their darkest nightmare...no parents and no home! This will become a yearly Valentines project for Stephen and after the Christmas backpacks, he will find out from God's Littlest Orphanage in Haiti, exactly what their immediate needs are. Special thanks to The Real Canadian Superstore for using their stores in Calgary as collection centers!!! |
||
|
|
Dec 24th...Diamonds for Christmas |
||
|
There are no words to describe the look on a four year old little girls face when she recieved a backpack with a Teddy Bear as big as she is; a baby dolly and a stroller and a backpack filled to overflowing with new gifts. Stephen gave little Diamond that gift this Christmas eve. Diamond savored each gift one by one as she unpacked her backpack at Inn from the Cold Christmas Eve! There is no greater gift that I can think of. Merry Christmas Diamond! |
||
|
|
Sisika and Piikani Feel the Love this Christmas |
||
|
For the first time the Sisika and Piikani Nation will recieve hundreds of Backpacks from Stephen this year. To be delivered to Sisika Nation Dec 20th 2009. Special thank you to our special Margaret Waterchief for helping us coordinate this event! Blessings to you all and Merry Christmas! |
||
|
|
Dec 19th 2009 Airdrie Lioness Hampers Blessed by Stephen |
||
|
Every child in every family receiving a hamper this year will also receive a special backpack filled to overflowing with love from our Stephen! Merry Christmas Airdrie!!! with lots of love and thanks Stephen! |
||
|
|
Dec 18th 2009 Premier Ed Stelmach and Mayor Stephen Mandel Welcome Stephen! |
||
|
Dec 18th at the Hope Mission Premier Ed Stelmach and Mayor Stephen Mandel were piped in with Stephen as he brought over 400 Stephen Bags as His Worship Mayor Mandel called them!!!Premier Ed Stelmach rembered Stephen when he gave him the Alberta Great Kids Award in 2008. He commended Stephen for putting his own challenges aside to help others in Alberta. Breanne McPhee danced two highland solos for this wonderful event!Piper John Miller was outstanding in his piping for our celebration! Over 100 more backpacks were delivered to Edmonton this year than in 2008. (400)The McPhees said that this spoke volumes about Albertans; even in recessed times Alberta is sending a strong message to Canada that they are still able to give with passion and heart to those in need! Merry Christmas from our home to yours Alberta! Final count to be tallied Christmas Eve! |
||
|
|
Dec 17th Santa's little Stephen elf heads to Red Deer |
||
|
Dec 17th over 250 backpacks were delivered to Red Deer Food bank and McMann Youth. Transportation generously provided by Highland Moving and Storage! |
||
|
|
2009 Wrap up at Cornerstone Church Dec 15th |
||
|
Deputy Mayor Ray Jones adn MLA Rob Anderson joined Stephen along with Wilson Highland School of Dance, students from Chestermere High, Gibson Energy, Highland Moving, Excell Battery, Inn from the Cold and many more wonderful volunteers piping peace and joy into the life of homeless children! CTS did a wonderful documentary airing Dec 19th 8pm on channel 51. |
||
|
|
What's Happening in December!!! |
||
|
Dec 13th - St Francis joins Stephen as he delivers 300 backpacks filled to overflowing to the Piikani and Sisika children! |
||
|
|
Stephen Pipes in his 2009 Program Bringing Peace and Joy! |
||
|
Nov 5th complete with piper and highland dancers Stephen and his 650 school friends kicked off his 2009 program at his school. Highland Moving and Storage brought the empty backpacks to his school and Alf Miller piped them all in to the auditorium filled with 650 excited children ready to help out a less fortunate child! Listen can you hear the piper...piping peace and joy into the life of a homeless child this Christmas. |
||
|
|
Bring on the Volunteers |
||
|
Volunteer Opportunities available at both warehouse locations Calgary Dec 5th-Dec 14th and Airdrie Dec 1-Dec 14th! Apply online |
||
|
|
Gibson Energy Energizes Stephen's Dream! |
||
|
Gibson Energy joins Stephen's team to support his efforts to make over 100 children smile this Christmas! We look forward to seeing you at our Dec 15th Finale at Cornerstone Church at McNight and Deerfoot at 3:00pm! |
||
|
|
Drop Off Locations 2009 |
||
|
Calgary--Cornerstone Church 1227 48th Ave NE (250-5547) Nov 24-Dec 4th Excluding Mondays 9:30-4:00pm. Tues to Friday |
||
|
|
Stephen's Backpacks Recieves A New Home |
||
|
Ed Eggerer from Century 21 generously donated two bays on Kingsview Blvd to Stephen's Backpacks for our 2009 Christmas Assembly. Many families from Airdrie will be able to come and support Stephen by making up backpacks this year. Conerstone Church at McNight and Deerfoot will be our Calgary home for inspecting and making backpacks. Stay tuned for more details about kickoffs, openings and times for volunteering!!! |
||
|
|
A Footprint in Time |
||
|
Stephen's Backpacks raised an amazing 1100 pairs of new running shoes for children in need this August! Double last years total! |
||
|
|
The Real Canadian Superstore is a Shoe in for Stephen's Backpacks |
||
|
Rose and her team at the Airdrie Superstore spent hours organizing and assembling shoes and discounted items for the backpacks. Over 800 paris of shoes were discounted to $5 to help Stephen with his Footprints campaign this fall. The result 1100 children were sent to school smiling with new shoes this new school year; almost double last years total. WOW!!! |
||
|
|
TransCanada's Three Year Comittment to Stephen's Dream |
||
|
TransCanada has committed $5000. each year for three years to help contibute to Stephen's Dream of bringing hope to the homeless children. Because of this effort Stephen's Backpacks Society was able to reach the Piiikani, Metis and Sisika Nation, Healthy Families in Didsbury, Red Deer and Airdrie Food Bank, and many other shelters. A plaque displaying pictures of these ricipients receiving their gifts will be placed in our new warehouse and then given to TransCanada for their lobby! |
||
|
|
Metis Children are Blessed |
||
|
School backpacks filled with love and supplies were given to Metis children this September with lots of Christmas backpack gifts still to come! Stephen is very happy to give all children a small gift of hope. |
||
|
|
Donations for Didsbury |
||
|
Stephen assembled backpacks and shoes for an organization called Healthy Families this September, sending kids off to school smiling. Christmas backpacks will be going here also! |
||
|
|
Food for Thought June 2009 |
||
|
Stephen's Backpacks Society donated $1000. to the Airdrie Food Bank. The Airdrie Food Bank is doing an exceptional job working with the food needs of homeless teens throughout the summer. It is a priviledge to support such a great and very much needed service here in Airdrie. |
||
|
|
July 1st Hot Diggidy Dog!!!!!!!!!! |
||
|
Stephen's first July 1st barbeque this July 1st raised over $1300 for new running shoes and backpacks for homeless children. Special thanks to Greg at Safeway in Airdrie for providing the space! |
||
|
|
Fortis Alberta Dreams Out Loud |
||
|
June 2009 Fortis Alberta Pep Squad powered by their amazing spirit to reach out and help Stephen's passion held their first fundraiser and raised $2000.00. Stephen sends a big thankyou to all of those who helped organize and participate in this wonderful event! |
||
|
|
Step into the Next 100 Years |
||
|
July 1st celebrates Airdrie's 100 year Centennial ...What a Parade!!! Stephen's Backpacks Float theme..."Step Into the Next 100 Years No more Homeless Children." A ten foot sun and a huge paper mache backpack with children inside it... decorated with all of the wonderful bright colors of the rainbow surrounded Stephen's float.Over 45 children joined in and walked to support Stephen's passion. Over 30,000 residents enjoyed an amazing parade. Stephen's float was voted 3rd in their category! Pictures to follow |
||
|
|
Stephen Helps Set Up New Inn from the Cold Ministry |
||
|
May 20th 2009 Stephen's Backpacks Society donated almost $2000 worth of furniture, dining chairs, bedside tables, beds and bedding and the sponsored the first meal of roast beef and yorkshire pudding to Cornerstone Foursquare Church to feed Calgary's homeless a hearty meal through a new Inn from the Cold ministry. One homeless woman wept at the banquet set for them with fresh flowers, knapkins in the glasses and chocolate covered strawberries. The evening was captured in a simple message from a homeless man as he came up for a third helping of roast beef.."This is better than a letter from home !" He said. |
||
|
|
A McHappy Day for Stephen's Cause |
||
|
|
||
|
|
Happy 8th Birthday to our Stephen! |
||
|
Airdrie Canada Safeway is holding a birthday celebration for Stephen. Come out and enjoy some of Stephen's favorite chocolate cake. May 9th 2009 between 11:00am and 2:00pm. Please bring new running shoes for Stephen's homeless children to start school with this fall. It will be a wonderful celebration!! |
||
|
|
McKenzie Towne Seniors Dream Out Loud! |
||
|
April 26th, Stephen and his family spoke at McKenzie Towne Retirement Residence. They had a day coordinated for Stephen's dream to help the homeless and raised over $500.00. |
||
|
|
Canadian Living Award 2009 |
||
|
Nancy McPhee, one of the founders of Stephen's Backpack's Society has been chosen as a finalist for Canadian Living Magazine's Me to We Awards. An opportuntiy to win $5000 for Stephen's Backpacks to help with Stephen's passion for homeless children! Contest closes May 8th 2009 |
||
|
|
McHappy Stephen |
||
|
|
||
|
|
Airdrie Fire Devastating loss for 16 year old |
||
|
Stephen's Backpacks received a call regarding a 16 year old young girl who had lost everything in a devastating fire in March in Airdrie. The same night we made phone calls for donations to community businesses for support. Over $1500.00 worth of hair appliances, gift certificates, clothes, food hygiene items and of course a backpack filled to the brim were delivered the very next day to this young woman. Airdrie once again proves the amazing heartbeat that makes this such a blessed place to live. |
||
|
|
Airdrie Homeless Teens and Avenue 15 March 2009 |
||
|
Some special members and the youth group from St Francis of Assisi in Airdrie joined Stephen's Backpacks and celebrated St Patricks Day a little different this year. They assembled amazing backpacks for Stephen's desire to help the homeless teens in Airdrie and Ave 15 in Calgary! All backpacks included warm fleece custom made blankets from The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, hygiene items generously donated from Janet Grein, Towels, clothes, nutricious breakfast bars, water and powerade generously donated by Canada Safeway! All decked out in their green hats vests and bow ties... it will be a St Paddy's day we won't forget!! |
||
|
|
Footprints We need Your Help!! |
||
|
No more children without new shoes for school! We need your help in collecting indoor/ outdoor new running shoes. Send donations to The UPS Store Box 777 203-304 Main St Square Airdrie AB T4B 3C3. Look for Stephen's eighth Birthday celebration at Canada Safeway in Airdrie on Sat May 10th...all he wants is a brand new pair of running shoes any size. You can drop off at Airdrie Canada Safeway until June 30th 2009. See you there for cake and juice. Happy Birthday to you Stephen!!!! |
||
|
|
Winter Coat Outreach to Homeless Teens March 2009 |
||
|
Stephen is busy again reaching out to Homeless teens even though Christmas is over, the winter temperatures are still with us. Fifty seven brand new winter coats were donated through a member of St Francis of Assisi in Airdrie to Stephen's Backpacks to help with the teen homeless situation. Twenty five were delivered to Bert Church High School last week on the coldest blizzard we have had, to help the homeless teens. The rest were gratefully received at Avenue 15 ( a teen shelter) in Calgary and Inn from the Cold. Stephen is rallying the Community of Airdrie to make backpacks for the teens in Airdrie and Avenue 15. To date 50 backpacks have been donated by Watches and More Promotional Products Inc. Wonderful fleece blanket are being donated, as well as heath bars and juices and all sorts of other items for these backpacks. Never a dull moment for our seven year old, Stephen! |
||
|
|
2009 A Footprint in Time!!! |
||
|
March 1st begins our Footprints campaign of collecting new running shoes for children in need. Last year, we distributed to 5 shelters over 600 pairs of new running shoes. This year our goal is 1000 pairs of new running shoes for children to start school with in the fall of 2009. |
||
|
|
What's New in 2009? |
||
|
January 1st we completed an Alberta Book Tour in Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat. We were overwhelmed at the response, support and love that was shown. Special thanks to Days Inn for their donation of our accomodation! Thanks for Dreaming Out Loud Alberta! |
||
|
|
Alberta and Canada Dream Out Loud! |
||
|
The results are in for 2008 and what a year this has been for our Stephen's passion to reach out and help the homeless. 1025 backpacks filled with gifts of love were handed out to children in need across Alberta! Not only that but four baby backpacks even went to Malawi, Africa! |
||
|
|
What can you put in a backpack? |
||
|
Some people are having a hard time finding the list of what can go into backpacks. It can be found by clicking the link below, or you can visit the "Get Involved" section of this website and choose "Sponsor a Backpack". |
||
|
|
2008 Alberta Great Kids Award |
||
|
|
||
|
|
New Calgary Drop-off and Backpack Assembly Location! |
||
|
From November 4th until December 13th - Tuesday through Friday - 9:30 am - 3:30 pm– drop off items and backpacks at: |
||
|
|
Dream Out Loud Book Launch - November 1st, 2008 |
||
|
Canada Safeway, Airdrie - Towerland Mall will be hosting the launch for Stephen's book, Dream Out Loud, by Nancy McPhee. |
||
|
