Prudential California Realty agents and employees, together with Traditional Escrow, Inc. filled and donated over 300 backpacks during Prudential’s 13th Annual Backpack Challenge. The backpacks were filled with school supplies and personal items for children in the foster care system ranging in age from infants to 24 years old. All items were donated to Orangewood Children and Family Center and to Aspiranet Foster Care Centers in Orange and San Bernardino. Prudential Realty offices in Anaheim Hills, Brea, Corona, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, and Yorba Linda participated in the Challenge.
Children in the foster care system often must leave all their possessions behind, and the goal of the Backpack Challenge is to help ease their difficult transitions and to provide the children with something of their own. Two years ago, the program extended its reach by including older children who are “aging out” of the foster care system. This year, the program also included children living in homeless shelters. In addition, this year’s program included a “Back to School” theme to help children get ready for the upcoming school year.
Prudential California Realty agents and employees also provided monetary donations, which were matched by Traditional Escrow, Inc. and used to purchase more backpacks at a discount from CM school supply in Anaheim.
The Backpack Challenge is an effort coordinated by Prudential employees around the world. Employees have donated more than 43,000 backpacks since Prudential’s Backpack Challenge began in 1999.