Project Backpack's Kantor sisters–Jackie, 14; Melissa, 11; and Jenna, 8–of Bethesda. In one month, they collected more than 25,000 backpacks filled with books, toys, and school supplies and sent them to kids left homeless by Hurricane Katrina.
The ongoing effort (projectbackpack.org) has spread to more than 30 cities–and earned the trio an invitation from the White House to help light the national Christmas tree.
Washingtonian staffers contributing to this section were Cristina Abello, Susan Baer, Susan Davidson, Ken DeCell, Rebecca Dreilinger, Kim Isaac Eisler, Mary Clare Fleury, Kimberly Forrest, Brooke Lea Foster, Garrett M. Graff, Cynthia Hacinli, Thomas Head, Todd Kliman, Ann Limpert, Chad Lorenz, Leslie Milk, Aparna Nancherla, William O'Sullivan, Cindy Rich, and Chris Wilson. Also contributing were Cathy Alter, Ann Cochran, and Matthew Graham.
