To Help Needy Children and Families in the Harrisburg Area Through The

MISSION STATEMENT

*To help the needy in the Harrisburg area through the presentation of quality events, featuring performing artists, which are affordable to the general public.

*To support the Harrisburg area and help with causes which are deemed worthy.

*To promote good fellowship among the guests and the community.

Proceeds from the events are largely intended to stay in our “backyard”-- the immediate Harrisburg area.

HISTORY

The BackYard Bash was first held in July, 1987. It became a charity benefit in 1992. The organization became a registered Pennsylvania Non-profit Charitable Organization in May, 1994, under the name “BackYard Benefits, Inc.”, and a registered Federal 501(C)(3) Non-profit Charitable Organization in July, 1994.

BackYard Benefits was a presenter of the first Red Hot Strawberry

Ball, in October, 1996. The BackYard Bash and Red Hot Strawberry Ball are presented annually by BackYard Benefits.

Since 1993, the BackYard Bash was the subject of a Nancy Eshelman article in The Patriot-News entitled “This Party Takes It’s Mission Seriously”, and was the site of WGAL’S “LIVE” show with Lori Burkholder. The eleven o’clock weather was broadcast live by C. S. Keys of Cannel 8. WHTM and WHP television stations have also filmed at the BackYard Bash and the Red Hot Strawberry Ball. BackYard Benefits, Inc. received a proclamation from Harrisburg City Council in 1997. The Harrisburg Magazine Reader’s Poll selected the BackYard Bash as the Best Block Party and as the 2nd Best Fundraiser. The Red Hot Strawberry Ball was voted the Best Black Tie event.

Backyard Benefits; with the help of the Harrisburg area sponsors and volunteers has

made grants of more than $250,000 since its inception in 1994 to the following needy children’s organizations:

UCP Easter Seals Paula Rushinsky Cancer Fund

Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Services (YWCA)

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Leukemia Society

Jake Nesbit Cancer Fund (eight-year old boy)

Harrisburg Parks and Recreation (Electronic scoreboard for little league field)

East Shore Royals Midget Football Team Special Olympics I. O. Silver Games

Keystone State Games Bethesda Mission DELTA Housing

Cleary-Myers Fund (Leukemia victim)

Children’s Play Room American Lung Association CONTACT Helpline

Tyler Heckendorn Cancer Fund

Neighbor’s Who Care—sponsored prayer breakfasts

Neighbor’s Who Care (Kids Christmas Program)

Harrisburg Parks Partnership—Norwood Playground renovation

Harrisburg Parks Partnership—RiverFront Park Improvements

Harrisburg Parks Partnership—Sponsored Youth Soccer League

Harrisburg Girls Track & Field State Champions—presented medals

Harrisburg Boys Basketball State Champions—sponsored banquet

Camp Curtain YMCA Youth Basketball Team—sponsor of trip to national tournament

Samantha Liddick Trust Fund (Leukemia victim) Second Chance Ministries

Cure For Caity Cancer Fund Mark Evans Cancer Fund Escape Center

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Rejoice! Inc. (Minority adoption agency)

Shining Light Thrift Shop (Fire & Violence victims)

Central Allison Hill Community Center (After School Program)

South Allison Hill Community Center

Boys & Girls Club (Education Program)

National Civil War Museum (Youth Education Program)

Camp Kydnie Historic Harrisburg Association Capital Area Greenbelt

Secret Safe Place For Newborns

Neighborhood Center ParentWorks NY Children’s Aid Society

Jump Street Her Heart’s Wish Mental Health Association Children’s Program

Salvations Army (Kid’s Café) Community Check Up Center Whitaker Center

Big Brothers Big Sisters The Ecumenical Food Pantry

Pine Street Presbyterian Church Children’s Camp Program

Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families DaLite Solidarity Ministry

Kidney Foundation Jammin For Jess Our Daily Bread Food Pantry

Art Association Youth Programs Alzheimer’s Family Support Program Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival Gamut Theatre Group

Mortimer Levitt Foundation of Harrisburg GuideRight (scholarships for needy youths)

The Caring Place HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Leadership Foundation)

The American Red Cross The Delta Community Open Stage of Harrisburg

The Children’s Center Cancer Recovery Foundation of America

NGOZI, Inc. CAC/Multicultural Festival CACC, Inc./The Children’s Center

Allied Arts Fund The Joshua Group Allied Arts Feel Your Boobies Foundation