Teen honors late mother, giving out 500 care backpacks to people in need
By Shaquille Lord
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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — On Thanksgiving morning, 500 “ready-to-go” care backpacks were handed out to people in need at Hotel Louisville, thanks to a project born from love, legacy and a teenager’s mission to help others.
The initiative, Touch of Terra, was created by Saint Xavier High School senior DyLon Boone in honor of his mother, Terra, who died two years ago.
He says his mother always kept care backpacks in her car so she could give them to people experiencing hardship, a gesture that inspired him to carry her compassion forward.
The backpacks distributed Thursday were filled with essential items, including hygiene products, toilet paper and other necessities—simple supplies that can make a meaningful difference for those facing homelessness.
Boone said that continuing his mother’s tradition is now his personal mission.
“I’m hoping I can put some hope in their eyes and give them a little push to be like, you can do this, and you can push yourself out of this situation and improve yourself. We all find ourselves in hard places, so everyone’s got to have some support,” he said.
So far, Touch of Terra has raised more than $14,000 to purchase supplies for the care backpacks. Organizers said that with continued donations, they hope to expand the effort and host a spring distribution event as well.
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