For a family living in poverty, buying their child a backpack for school is one of the last things on their mind. After learning about this ​need in the community MDL Group, a Nevada commercial real estate group, challenged nine other commercial real estate groups to give back by competing in a backpack drive for Boys Town Nevada.

Wanting to impact their community, MDL Group met with Boys Town Nevada to plan Originally the groups were challenged to collect 2,500 backpacks for youth that Boys Town Nevada serves, but this goal was easily surpassed. When all was said and done, the nine commercial real estate groups collected 9,365 to donate to youth that Boys Town Nevada supports. Seven thousand backpacks were distributed to eight schools served by Boys Town Nevada's School Initiative Program and the rest will be distributed to the families being served through the In-Home Family Services program.

"It was fun, exciting, challenging, inspiring and frustrating at times, but that's what makes the end result even sweeter," said Hayim Mizrachi, Chief Executive Officer of MDL Group. "How cool is it that we were able to give every single child in eight schools a brand new backpack for the school year? Our friends at Boys Town Nevada could not have imagined what the commercial real estate industry is capable of."

In Las Vegas one in four children live in poverty, which is why events like this backpack drive are so important for the site. "The children attending the schools we serve all get free lunches due to income," said Donna Pacella, Boys Town Nevada Development Director. "Many parents have trouble putting food on the table and have no money to provide backpacks or school supplies. These nine companies made a huge difference."

Along with the backpack drive, Metro Diner, a local Nevada establishment, will be providing free meals on July 15 and will be asking patrons to make a donation to Boys Town Nevada.

Thank you to all who were involved with this project and for positively impacting the community one backpack at a time.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." – Margaret Mead