EST. 2019 — PITTSBURGH, PA
Harper's Helpers
The story behind
A youth-led foundation built on one belief: that small acts of kindness, done with intention, create real and lasting change in the world.
Kindness in Action, One Helper at a Time
HOW IT STARTED
A birthday gift for a 5 year-old bow and pearl loving girl
When Harper turned 5, her mom gave her something no toy store could offer. A name. A mission. An organization built around the belief that one little girl's kindness could change the world around her. Harper's Helpers was not born from a boardroom or a strategic plan. It was born from a child who simply asked: how can I help right now?
THE WORK
Seven years of showing up
Snuggle Up Pajamas Drive — 121 pairs of pajamas collected for children in emergency care at Jeremiah's Place.
Warm Soles Project— Over 225 pairs of socks for people experiencing homelessness, inspired by a trip to Seattle.
Warm Hands, Warm Heart— 50 cold weather kits delivered to the Light of Life Rescue Mission.
Bracelets of Hope — Handmade bracelets of affirmation sold to raise $415 for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
A Wickedly BOO-tiful Treat — Candy-free treat bags filled with spooktacular Halloween goodies, delivered to children in chemotherapy at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Playful Stays — $1,750 in kits delivered to the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh.
Blooming Together — Partnered with Tory Burch to raise funds for Girls Inc.
Pucker Up Project— Annual lemonade stand raising funds for Harper's chosen cause each year.
Happy Head Project — Collecting Cabbage Patch style wigs for cancer patients.
THE FORMALIZATION
Today and beyond
For years people supported Harper's work with no tax benefit and no formal structure. They gave because her heart was impossible to ignore. In January 2025, Harper's Helpers became an official 501c3 nonprofit foundation. What started as a birthday gift is now a registered institution. The community that believed in her before the paperwork existed still shows up. And now they can give with a receipt.
"
Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.
— FRED ROGERS
WHERE WE ARE NOW
She is just getting started
Harper is nearly 12. She has touched over 579 lives directly through her projects, raised thousands of dollars for causes she chose herself, and built a community of helpers that spans far beyond Pittsburgh. This year her two signature campaigns, the Pucker Up Project and the Happy Head Project, are connected for the first time. Every glass of lemonade sold funds wigs for pediatric cancer patients. That is Harper. That is how she thinks. That is why this works.
You found us.
Now be one of us.
Join a community of helpers who believe that small acts of kindness, done with intention, change everything.