Do you have any childhood memories of favorite
birthday parties when decorations, cake and ice cream, gifts, and your friends
or family made you feel special?
Countless little boys and girls have never
experienced—or will never experience—a birthday party unless something changes
in their lives. Not because their parents aren’t willing, but because they
don’t have the means or place to provide it.
I recently learned about a local organization in the
Seattle area that is doing what it can to make a difference. Birthday Dreams is
a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing joy to homeless children and foster care children living in group homes with
the gift of a birthday party. To date, they’ve given over 3,600 parties.
Larger monthly parties are thrown in some shelters,
but individual parties are also given, depending on the need and location.
There are a variety of ways to get involved:
- Purchasing gifts and/or party supplies for a Birthday-in-a Box
- Delivering Birthday Boxes (They contain gifts, cakes, and themed party supplies.)
- Baking Cakes/Cupcakes (For a lot of children, it will be their first experience seeing their name on a cake.)
- Monetary Donations (Funds can be donated for a gift, party supplies, cake, or an entire Birthday Box.)
- Volunteering at an Onsite Group Party
- Community Outreach
- Join the Board of Directors
- Join a Committee
Another way to contribute is by organizing a goody
bag party for a group, such as your scout group, church group, etc. With all
the birthday parties given, Birthday Dreams uses 400-600 goody bags each month.
Groups are encouraged to collect or purchase items to fill the good
bags—Birthday Dreams provides the bags and ribbons to tie them.
Volunteers are welcome to bring their own children
(over the age of 7) to the parties. What a great way for them to learn that
giving can be fun! People 16 years and older who volunteer at the onsite group
parties at the shelters, bake cakes, and deliver Birthday Boxes are screened
prior to being given an assignment.
If you live in the Seattle area, consider getting
involved and making a child’s birthday something to remember. If you live
elsewhere, you can still donate, and there might also be a similar organization
in your own area—or you may think about starting something yourself, even if
it’s on a smaller scale.
Sometimes, a dream is as simple as having a birthday
party—just for you! We can make a difference in a child’s life.
To learn more, check out Birthday Dreams at this
online site: https://birthdaydreams.org
And don’t forget to check out the video below.
Thanks!
Dawn
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