It all started in with the refugee crisis in the Ukraine when a pilot who was just passing through an airport saw a need and asked the question, —“What can I do to help?”

“I’m a UPS pilot and another UPS pilot was over Germany in March of 2022. And they had refugees streaming across the border and they'd set
up refugee centers,” said Liesl Carter, secretary of Operation Backpack4Kids. “He speaks German and so he kind of just couldn't not do something. So he actually, talked to the refugee center director and said, you know, how can we help? We're a bunch of American pilots.”

And with one simple question, a movement was born. Operation Backpack4Kids is a non-profit organization created and staffed by pilots who donate backpacks full of comfort items for children affected by disasters.

“So, at the refugee center, you could get your shampoo and your conditioner and everything you needed but the kids were just sitting there. So, what we provided for them is  a backpack and it has humanitarian relief items. So, it'll have a water bottle and, a blanket and some snacks,” said Carter.  “But it also has a stuffed animal and toys and a coloring book for the younger kids, or maybe a journal for the older kids. These small items can help them feel like they have control. It also allows them to have activity to do while their parents or their, whoever's with them is trying to figure out what is happening with their life afterwards, this huge disaster.”

After the crisis overseas, the pilots decided to bring the project back home. In 2023, Backpack4Kids partnered with the American Red Cross to launch the program and help children affected by disasters locally in five cities including Anchorage.

“Anchorage is a good fit for a number of reasons.  One thing is we're a bunch of UPS pilots. There's some FedEx folks are involved too. We have hubs here in Anchorage,” said Carter. “So, it is easy logistics wise to get the backpacks from our operations center in Louisville, Kentucky. We have direct flights that come all the time up here. Secondly, you know, stuff is expensive to get up here to Alaska so we can provide support from outside.”

Each backpack is specially curated for a specific gender and age range to ensure each child has items that fit their unique needs. Younger kids have stuffed animals and picture books, and older children have hygiene items and fidget toys. The backpacks filled for Alaska have gloves and hats (all hand knit by one generous volunteer).

The American Red Cross of Alaska has distributed more than 20 backpacks to children impacted by disaster this year, most recently to several families who were impacted by a multi-condo home fire in Anchorage.

“When they have nothing, at least they have something to hold and a place to put whatever it is that they have in a backpack. It really is just a need that just absolutely needed to be filled,” said Carter.

What began with one pilot asking a simple question —“What can I do to help?”—has grown into a powerful movement of compassion, connection, and action. The partnership between the American Red Cross and Operation Backpack4Kids reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming disaster, small acts of kindness can carry immense weight. A backpack may seem like a modest gesture, but to a child who has lost everything, it becomes a symbol of hope, comfort, and care.

You can be part of this mission. Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word, your support helps bring comfort to when people need it most. Visit redcross.org to learn more.