REALTOR® Karen Hayhoe lends a helping hand, and a backpack of necessities and comforting items, to local children removed from meth lab homes in Western Wisconsin.
In the early 2000s when the incidence of methamphetamine (“meth”) use was on the rise in and around Chippewa Falls, Hayhoe became aware of the children removed from homes during drug raids. Because chemicals and fumes of in-home meth labs contaminate everything in the home, children removed during raids are sent to local hospitals for decontamination: their existing clothing is removed and they’re placed in scrubs, any familiar items like toys or stuffed animals are discarded, and the children are left with nothing.
“No child should ever have to endure such a thing,” said Hayhoe. “It makes me sick.”
Hayhoe wanted to help, so she called her local sheriff’s office, which put her in contact with the Chippewa County Department of Human Services (DHS). From DHS, Hayhoe learned about the county’s Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program and about the items that would be needed for children during the first 48 hours after the emergency time of removal. And from there, Hayhoe’s Operation Backpack program was born.
Items in the backpacks include a new outfit, blanket, stuffed toy, book, coloring books and crayons, as well as a pacifier, bottle, formula, diaper, bibs and other baby items when appropriate. DHS ensures that backpacks are age-appropriate; contents may vary depending on the age or needs of the child. Backpacks are then distributed to the children in need by the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department, Chippewa Falls Police Department, and/or DHS officials.
“It’s a blessing that there are so many people who have been and who are advocates of this program, including but not limited to the Chippewa Falls Rotary, Optimist Club, churches, and other institutions and individuals too many to mention,” said Hayhoe.
Hayhoe has started a “seedling” fund for Operation Backpack through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. Operation Backpack also is close to reaching the $10,000 minimum needed for an endowment.
Hayhoe’s local NBC affiliate, WEAU 13 News, reported last month on the growing epidemic of meth use in Western Wisconsin. According to WEAU, 66 meth-related court cases took place in 2012 in the community; by 2014, that number more than doubled to 156. The Wisconsin Department of Justice notes that much of the meth available in Wisconsin originates in Mexico and is transported to Wisconsin from California and other southwestern states. Interstate 35 also provides an easy route for drug trafficking: the trek begins in Mexico, reaches Minnesota and spills into Western Wisconsin.
Hayhoe has successfully expanded Operation Backpack from solely a DEC program into one that helps endangered children removed from homes for other reasons. While Operation Backpack is fully functional in Chippewa County, the presence of meth continues to grow. Hayhoe hopes surrounding counties in Western Wisconsin will adopt the same type of program to help children who are victims of drug-related situations.
“Karen’s acts help create stability and familiarity for a child who is in the middle of complete and utter chaos,” said Brenda Barnhardt, Executive Vice President of the REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin. “It lets them know someone does still care, and it just might be the difference between a child going in the wrong direction during a turbulent time or finding the right path because of a backpack from a complete stranger.”
Would you like to contribute funds and/or items to Operation Backpack? Contact Karen Hayhoe at 715-456-2257 or by email at Karen@woodsandwater.com. If you’d like to contribute to the seedling fund, contact Melinda Haun at Melinda@yourlegacyforever.com.