Dalton Bacco fund aids foster children

Kerri and Frank Bacco of West View are channeling their grief by honoring their late son with a fund created to assist foster children in Western Pennsylvania.

The couple, both 44 and teachers, created The Dalton Bacco “Living the Dream” Fund in June 2017 after the tragic death of their only child, Dalton Bacco.

Dalton Bacco died by suicide May 3, 2017, after falling from a fifth-floor balcony on the campus of Carlow University in Oakland.

He was 19.

Since Dalton’s death, the Baccos have volunteered each week mentoring other foster children, primarily through the Children’s Aid Society of Mercer County.

To date, the couple has directly served more than 75 foster children Western Pennsylvania and have personally mentored 15 kids. The Baccos said they have increased the number of foster children they mentor each year.

A frantic voice mail

Kerri recalled receiving what she described as a “frantic” voicemail that day from Dalton during her after-school duties at Fairview Elementary School in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

“In his message he explained he was having a bad day, and he was also telling me goodbye,” Kerri said.

She said she’s still haunted by a doctor telling her that day that Dalton had died.

“I feel responsible and guilty as I was unable to save him. He was the most important person in my life, and I would do anything for him. Losing Dalton will affect me for the rest of my life,” Kerri Bacco said.

Frank Bacco teaches seventh-grade social studies at Shaler Middle School. No longer hearing Dalton call him “dad” is especially painful.

“I miss his smile, laughter and personality,” he said.

The Dalton Bacco “Living the Dream” Fund supports children in foster care, specifically those residing in group homes and residential treatment facilities.

“Each time we do something for “Living the Dream” we’re doing something in honor of Dalton. It helps us to keep Dalton’s kind-hearted spirit and memory alive. We’ll never be able to see him graduate, get married and our annual golf outing is a way for us to continue to celebrate the most amazing child we’ve ever met,” Frank Bacco said.

The Baccos, who have been married 16 years, had struggled with infertility and planned to adopt a young child in the 4 to 6-year-old range.

“We took a flyer about a 13-year-old boy named Dalton. We were unsure about adopting a teenager, but figured we’d at least consider it,” Kerri Bacco said.

A touching gift

The couple decided to adopt Dalton after seeing him featured on a “Waiting Child” foster child segment on KDKA.

A vivid memory from their first meeting involved the Baccos gifting Dalton with a pair of much-needed shoes.

“We visited him the following week and noticed he wasn’t wearing his new shoes. Truthfully, we weren’t very happy with Dalton that day,” Kerris Bacco said.

Dalton explained that he’d given his new shoes to another foster child who needed them more than he did.

“Dalton basically said it was the right thing to do, especially now that he had found his “forever family.” Looking back on what Dalton did has inspired us to be more like Dalton and help kids who really need it,” Kerri Bacco said.

“We both instantly fell in love with Dalton,” said Frank, and after a nine-month process, the couple officially adopted Dalton on Oct. 21, 2011.

Dalton loved attending Pittsburgh Penguin games, playing soccer, trips to the beach in Florida, playing X-Box, music, going to movies and eating Buffalo chicken wraps, his mom’s homemade chicken Parmesan and anything with ranch dressing.

Leah Christy, mentor supervisor at Children’s Aid, said the Baccos have brought joy and patience to young teenagers throughout Western Pennsylvania.

“Some of the teens comment that the Bacco’s are their favorite because they’re there for them and support them. They’re fierce advocates for these kids,” Christy said.

An annual golf outing serves as the fund’s largest fundraiser and all monies raised go directly to the Bacco’s foster mentees.

Each November, the Baccos host a Christmas shopping trip for about 15 foster children to Grove City Outlets in Mercer County. Each child receives a budget and shops for his or her own clothes and shoes. The day culminates in a sit-down dinner at a restaurant.

“During our latest annual shopping trip, we got 3 more mentees,” Kerri Bacco said.

“This is something these children rarely, if at all, get the chance to experience,” she said.

Other activities included trips to sporting events, the movies, Kennywood, nail salons and rollerskating.

Honoring Dalton’s life

The couple said prior to his adoption, Dalton endured living in group homes and residential facilities in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

“He had a few failed foster placements,” said Kerri Bacco.

Dalton had received therapy, specifically sessions in trauma and family-based therapies. The couple said they never saw signs of depression.

“He never spoke of harming himself, in any way. Dalton loved life,” Kerri Bacco said.

Retired fourth-grade Fairview teacher Mary Jo Bisceglia-Tilves, of Fox Chapel first met Kerri at school about a decade ago.

Tilves recalled Dalton as an “old soul” and said they shared a love of pumpkin pie.

“I would get him a pie, and he was always so appreciative,” Bisceglia-Tilves said.

Bisceglia-Tilves teared up describing their dedication to honoring Dalton’s life.

“They started out making a difference in one person’s life and now through this foundation, they can touch and make a difference in many lives,” Bisceglia-Tilves said.

Donations to the fund may be mailed to: Dalton Bacco “Living the Dream” Fund, 319 Cross Creek Ct., Pittsburgh, PA. 15237-1766.