third Annual Backpack Drive 2025

Our third annual backpack drive was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together with compassion and purpose. This year, we filled and distributed 50 backpacks, each carefully packed with toiletries, blankets, hand warmers, and essential cold-weather supplies for individuals experiencing homelessness.

What made this year so impactful wasn’t just what we gave—but how and where we gave it. During one of Wisconsin’s fiercest winter storms, we personally handed out backpacks to those braving the blizzard, offering warmth, relief, and hope. We also brought supplies in bulk to warming shelters that open only on the coldest nights to protect people from life-threatening conditions—spaces where privacy is crucial and dignity comes first.

One moment we’ll never forget was meeting an elderly, deaf man in desperate need of warmth and kindness. After giving him a backpack, we returned with breakfast and hot coffee—reminding him, and ourselves, that even the smallest acts of care can have a profound impact.

This drive reflects what Second Chance Heroes is all about: showing up, standing in the gap, and changing lives. We’re grateful to every supporter who made this possible, and we can’t wait to keep building on this work in the years ahead.