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News, Updates & Opportunities
January 2022
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Holiday Drive Update | Thank You |
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Recently, we delivered a birthday party for a local mother who shared that she "got clean" the day her son was born, but "still needs some financial help, because rebuilding life takes time." Birthday Dreams was fortunate to be able to provide some of that support to help the family celebrate their son's first birthday. In her followup feedback form the mother wrote:
“Thank you! This is an awesome program. It is much appreciated. The kids were proud of me and their dad that we were better and our family did 'normal' life again. It made all the difference”
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Community Support and Recognition |
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Recent Grants to Fund Birthdays-in-a-Box and New Van |
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Each month Birthday Dreams receives grant awards from foundation partners. This month, we are thankful for the financial support from Adient ($2500), Ash Grove ($2500) and Renton Regional Community Foundation ($556). These grants will help fund our Birthday-in-a-Box program.
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We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the financial support from The Catania Family Foundation. The foundation's $1,500 grant will directly fund our purchase of a delivery van.
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New Partnership Brings Computers to Kids |
In January, Birthday Dreams partnered with InterConnection a local non-profit organization that has the goal of making information and communication technology accessible to underserved communities around the world. InterConnection selected Birthday Dreams as one of its recipients of a national program dedicated to getting computers into the hands of marginalized K-12 children and their families.
InterConnection donated 10 Dell Inspiron laptop computers to Birthday Dreams and we are excited to pass these computers onto our birthday party kids throughout the year!
We would like to thank InterConnection for this outstanding donation and look forward to a long-lasting partnership between our organizations!
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Volunteer Spotlight | Ivanna Morales |
College freshman Ivanna Morales found Birthday Dreams through her mom when she was in 9th grade. She quickly realized volunteering with Birthday Dreams allowed her to pair her love of baking with her passion for volunteerism. Ivanna shared that she understands the importance of being celebrated; birthdays were an important celebration in her family and allowed her to always feel valued.
Ivanna, who has consistently baked 5 - 8 cakes per year for Birthday Dreams, vividly remembers the first cake she baked for us. It was a unicorn themed cake for a little girl named Abby. She commented that she still carries the joy and memory of that first cake knowing that it made a child happy.
Thank you've Ivanna for all you have done and continue to do for Birthday Dreams!
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Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love |
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Cake baker Karen Criddle knew just what to do for a Paw Patrol fan who was turning two. Ashely Dearth supplied the toys which included superhero PJs and a Paw Patrol Band set and Driver Cheryl Gregg made the special delivery. |
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It was a Moster Truck party for a little boy turning two! Cake baker Ashley Kurth used the birthday boy's favorite color, blue, in her amazing cupcake-cake. Kenny Williams delivered the cake, birthday gifts and party supplies. |
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Ally Butler's cookie adorned Tie Dye cake was "out of this world."
The birthday girl, who turned 14, also received makeup, art supplies and a new volleyball.
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Marketing and Development Internship Opportunity |
Are you a marketing major? Recent marketing graduate? Or a marketing professional looking to sharpen your skills while giving back to the community? If so, Birthday Dreams has an exciting opportunity for YOU! We have an immediate opening for a Marketing and Development Intern.
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The ideal candidate has experience in and is excited to assist with social media content management, event marketing strategy and development, video production and editing among other responsibilities.
This 4-12 month part-time unpaid position reports directly to our Development Director, who along with our Marketing Director, will provide regular coaching, mentoring.
For more information please contact Jarod Drozdowski, Development Director, at 425-524-4705 or jarod@birthdaydreams.org.
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Volunteer Orientation and Opportunities
Upcoming in-person orientation:
- Tuesday, January 18 at 6pm
- Saturday, February 12 at 11am
- Tuesday, February 15 at 6pm
Contact our Community Events Coordinator, Leah Battin, at Leah@birthdaydreams.org for team building and service project opportunities.
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Follow us on Facebook! Cake and delivery needs are posted weekly. A list of upcoming parties and party needs can be found here.
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A big thank you to the following HUGE list of new and returning birthday club members:
Christopher Schrier, Meghan Palmer, Steven Smith/Nehemiah Ventures, Allan and Merry Avery, Michael Salazar, Eric Hedges, Kathryn Yates Stevenson, Judith Arfsten, Bilha Zomer, Beth Devries, Seattle Fish Guys LLC, Bob and Jaqueline Tacher, Adient Foundation, First Financial Northwest Foundation, 2021 Circle of Giving, Renton Regional Community Foundation, Gary Goldstein and Cynthia Randall, Kari Hayden, Matthew Piukkula, Cory O’Brien, Janine Chin, Whole Foods Market Community Giving Program, Google Matching Funds, Kerryn Frampton, Adobe Systems, Inc., Daniel Ramirez, Vivek Kapoor, Michael Palmer, Erik Sanders, Althea Pomerleau, Olaf Hubel, Walter Schlaepfer, Ash Grove Charitable Foundation, Heidi MacDonald, Francis Aiello, Ashley Cannon, Paula Reynolds, Meeghan Engberg, Douglas & Sandra Nalley, Karen Andersen, Dawn Lee, Zachary Ahrens, The Catania Family Foundation, Roger & Marlene Winter, Vicki Kennerud, Alma Blankenship, and Susan Allison.
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We are excited and overwhelmed by the generosity of 2021 Birthday Club members who will continue to be celebrated throughout the first quarter of 2022.
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