The Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors (GTAR) celebrated the 21st annual Backpacks for Kids campaign, continuing a longstanding tradition of supporting children and families served by Family & Children’s Services (FCS).
This year’s campaign benefited youth and families participating in several FCS programs, including Women in Recovery (WIR), Child Abuse and Trauma Services (CATS), Comprehensive Home-Based Services (CHBS), Early Childhood Programs, Systems of Care (SOC), School-Based Services, Children and Adult Counseling, and SafeCare® Home-Based Parenting.
From a Small Idea to a Community Tradition
GTAR launched Backpacks for Kids in 2006 with a goal of helping 100 children prepare for school. What started with a $5,000 budget and a handful of backpacks grew into one of Tulsa’s most enduring community outreach efforts.
Over the past 21 years, the campaign has supported more than 8,000 children, helping local families access the resources they need to start the school year with confidence.
530 Children Received Essential School Supplies
In 2026, GTAR provided 530 children with fully stocked backpacks through funding raised by its annual golf tournament, private donations and local sponsorships.
Each child received more than school supplies. Backpacks included new clothing, shoes and personal care items such as deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The expanded support reflected the campaign’s commitment to promoting both academic success and overall well-being.
Hawaiian Luau Theme Created a Memorable Experience
This year’s celebration featured a Hawaiian Luau theme that brought fun and excitement to participating children and families.
The event included:
Free pizza
On-site haircuts
Face painting
Games and activities
Luau-themed décor
More than 40 volunteers, including local Realtors, business partners and community members, helped make the event possible.
Building Brighter Futures Beyond Real Estate
GTAR members once again demonstrated that community impact extends far beyond the real estate industry. Through Backpacks for Kids, volunteers invested in the success, confidence and well-being of local children.
Community leaders Becky Blair, chairman of the Community Relations Committee; Royce Ellington, co-chairman of the Community Relations Committee; Bayleigh Reimer, Communications & Events Coordinator for the Tulsa Realtors Association; and Crystal Houck, Senior Director of Parent Support at FCS, continued to champion the initiative.
They described Backpacks for Kids as a labor of love that has grown in purpose and impact over two decades, helping thousands of Tulsa-area children start each school year prepared, supported, and ready to succeed.
