A backpack of comfort for kids in crisis

At Back to Play, we support children facing any kind of adversity — illness, instability at home, natural disasters, and beyond. Every child deserves the chance to play, heal, and thrive, no matter their circumstances.
Through thoughtful resources, community programs, and a growing network of support, we help kids move through hard moments with a little more comfort, hope, and joy.

Helping kids feel safe, seen, and like themselves again — one backpack at a time

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What started in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene has grown into something bigger. Today, Back to Play is reaching children across the country — from families displaced by the California wildfires to kids facing crises in their own homes.

Wherever a child needs a little comfort, we want to be there.

where we're going

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I'm Faith

Originally from Illinois, I’ve called the Charlotte-Lake Norman area home for over 14 years, where I live with my husband and two boys. As an Occupational Therapist and Certified ISR Instructor, I’ve always been passionate about helping children thrive. But the origins of Back to Play are deeply personal.

When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, I was shaken by the news. My family experienced some inconveniences, but it was nothing compared to the unimaginable loss faced by so many families in our state. I couldn’t stop thinking about the children who had lost everything—their homes, their toys, their sense of safety. That’s when the idea struck: backpacks filled with essentials and comforts to bring a little light back into their lives.

With overwhelming support from friends, family, and even strangers, Back to Play was born. In just five days, we became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Today, what started as a local effort is expanding nationwide, helping children impacted by fires in California and other natural disasters across the country.