From Broadway to Project Runway Designers Create One of A Kind Backpacks For Help Is On The Way Today?s Project Backpack Drive Some of the best designers from Broadway, Project Runway and fashion come out to design one of a kind backpacks for Help Is On The Way Today?s Project Backpack drive designer auction. Help Is On The Way Today is a non-for-profit organization that helps and assists children living with HIV and AIDS in New York City. The mission of the organization is to step in when government agencies fall short. Founded by Joseph Macchia in 2006, Help Is On The Way Today works with clinics, hospitals, and group homes in the Tri State Area. Project Backpack was created in 2005 by Joseph Macchia to help collect new backpacks and school supplies for twenty two children living in a group home in Washington Heights. Since then the drive has grown to assist over six hundred and fifty children living in New York and 40 children living in a camp in Africa. The backpacks are filled with new school supplies and delivered to the group homes, clinics and hospitals the week before school begins. Money is also collected to buy supplies by hosting different events throughout the summer. This year Project Backpack will conclude with a very special event, a designer backpack auction. Some of the most talented designers from Broadway, Project Runway, and the fashion industry will create one of a kind backpacks that will be auctioned off. Each designer was given a plain backpack that they can decorate, and or redesign to become a one of a kind item. Designers participating in this designer auction are William Ivey Long (TONY Award Winning Costume Designer), Rami Kashou (Project Runway), Keith Bryce (Project Runway), Keith Michael (Project Runway), Korto Momlu (Project Runway),Kara Janx(Project Runway),Chloe Dao(Project Runway),Jay McCarroll(Project Runway), Kara Saun (Project Runway), Kayne (Project Runway), Anthony Manferdonia, Peter Soren (who outfitted Michelle Obama), Andrew Makay (N2N Underwear), Corey Groom (Broadway), Fernando Gantier, Bill Rancitelli, Melissa Joy Manning, Nora Kogan, Vkoo, Ping Wu, Stephanie Larrowe, Susan Beischel and Mary Ping. Project Backpack Designer Backpack auction will be held on September 13 from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. The afternoon will include a cocktail reception, performances by Broadway Talent TBA and auction. Tickets will be on sale starting August 1 ticket price TBA. Tickets can be purchased by calling 718-672-6714 or by emailing Joseph Macchia at Joseph@HelpIsOnTheWaytoday.org. 100% of the funds raised from this auction will go directly to Help Is On The Way Today.