The Year In Review With An Eye Towards 2026

As the colors of fall turn us towards the gathering of family and friends for the holidays, my thoughts turned towards the generosity of BBF’s donors who continue to allow us to assist so many in need around the world. Starting with the LA Wildfires at the beginning of the year that damaged large areas around Los Angeles, to Hurricane Melissa that most recently caused major devastation in Jamaica, your support has allowed us to respond to disasters wherever they may be while continuing our regular relief work across the globe. Outlined below are some highlights of what you made possible throughout the year.

To assist those impacted by the LA wildfires, BBF partnered with food banks, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Free and Charitable Clinics, Community Organizations, Public School Districts, and Animal Shelters – a request made by one of our foundational supporters. At the same time, we sent essential medical and humanitarian supplies, pharmaceuticals, and educational materials to recipients around the world, and responded to a tornado outbreak in Missouri. BBF also funded trauma surgical training for healthcare professionals in Ukraine, oversaw the construction of the St. Andrew’s School in Mulanje, Malawi, and equipped a computer lab for a partner in Florida to provide training and job search support for at risk youth.

BBF’s response to the flooding in Texas and the heartbreaking loss of life at a girls summer camp was a major focus of our work after the July 4th weekend. We provided financial support for search and rescue efforts and addressing the basic needs of those affected in the Kerr County impacted area. Locally, BBF presented an Audiology Mobile Clinic to the Eye and Ear Foundation which is being run in collaboration with researchers and students from the University of Pittsburgh. This is the fifth mobile clinic BBF has provided to implementation partners to assist members of our underserved communities. Additionally, we responded to tornadoes in Mississippi and Kentucky, along with continuing our partnership with Hope for Ghana to help dredge and expand the Jarigu Dam. This project will improve water quality, promote better health, and prevent waterborne diseases for over 8,000 people. Separately, BBF shipped thirteen 40’ containers of new education materials to overseas partners.

Come fall, BBF helped fund the purchase of a mobile pharmacy unit for the Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville, North Carolina to assist patients in rural communities. We also provided financial support to the Mulanje Mission Hospital in Southern Malawi to help improve maternal and reproductive health, sustain HIV services, expand eye care, and continue malaria prevention. 

By the end of October, BBF had sent over 170,000,000 doses of medicines to partners in 25 countries. 

Additionally, BBF supported Med-Surg trips to El Salvador, Ghana, Nigeria, and Nepal by providing pharmaceuticals and surgical instruments, funded the installation of a rooftop solar system with battery backup at the Pawana Health and Wellness Center in Bihar, India, and similarly provided battery and system updates in medical facilities we have supported in Liberia.

Our response to disasters in the third quarter began with providing funding for the purchase and distribute fresh food packages for those impacted by the earthquake in Afghanistan and tents for those suffering from the effects of widespread flooding in Pakistan. This was followed by BBF’s response to Hurricane Melissa – the largest hurricane to hit Jamaica in over 30 years. BBF sent over 6,000 hygiene kits, along with hard hats, cleaning supplies, disinfecting wipes, and diapers to our partner based in both Southern Florida and Jamaica. This was followed by additional relief shipment containers of durable medical equipment and supplies including crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, birthing kits, exam tables, mobility carts, orthopedic equipment, and medical supplies.

These examples touch upon only some of the assistance we have been able to provide those in need.  As we look ahead to continuing our work in 2026, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your steadfast support of BBF’s efforts both here at home and around the world!