The Birthday Dreams’ signature annual event, Gala of Dreams, is right around the corner. The Gala will take place Saturday, October 14 in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington. Tickets are selling quickly so don’t delay, get yours today!

To purchase tickets, click on this link or scan the below QR code. Tickets are $125 per person and $1,250 for a Table of 10.

Special discounts for Hyatt hotel accommodations are available to attendees for the evening of the event.

The ultimate goal of the Gala this year is to have a fun and successful event that will benefit the 1,500+ homeless children that we serve each year.

The Gala will once again be hosted by our dynamic duo of entertainers, Brooke Fox (emcee) and Ron Hippe (auctioneer).

We have an amazing evening planned, including an incredible line-up of live and silent auction items, musical entertainment by The Tasty Waves, a delicious dinner, guest speakers, raise-the-paddle, dessert dash, and will end with a raffle drawing where one lucky guest will win round-trip airfare anywhere Alaska Airlines flies. More information about the evening can be found on the event website. 

Gala-related questions can be directed to our Development Director, Jarod Drozdowski at (425) 524-4705 or Jarod@birthdaydreams.org.

Other opportunities to help with the Gala:

Volunteer at the Gala

Make a Cash Donation to Support the Event

Become a Gala Sponsor

Donate a Themed Basket

It will be a night to remember; we hope to see you at the Gala on October 14th!

Onsite Party Volunteers Needed | Sign Up to Help

In order to continue hosting parties at the shelters, we need volunteers to attend these very fun birthday celebrations. Without volunteers, we will need to cancel these parties. If you are able to help volunteer, please click here to sign up to assist. Prior to signing up, please make sure to read the descriptions and notes to see if there are any restrictions (i.e., age requirement).

Saturday, September 16 (1-3pm) at Hope Place in South Seattle - 9 volunteers (age 12+)

Thursday, September 21 (6-8pm) at LIHI Meadowbrook View in North Seattle - 7 volunteers

Sunday, September 24 (1:30-3:30pm) at Mary’s Place Burien - 12 volunteers (age 18+)

Wednesday, September 27 (6-8pm) at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley - 7 volunteers

Tuesday, October 3 (6-8pm) at Mary’s Place Northshore - 8 volunteers

Sunday, October 8 (1-3pm) at Mary’s Place Regrade in Seattle - 11 volunteers (age 18+)

Note: Mary’s Place Northshore: Beginning this month Leslie Feller has taken over as the party coordinator at this location, she will be assisted by her daughter, Hannah Feller.

The feedback below was provided by a parent who was able to give their child a birthday party to remember, thanks to Birthday Dreams.

The family, who became homeless over two years ago after having their work hours cut, said their daughter was "very excited" to learn she would be getting a birthday party.

The mother said, "She [my child] was really happy on her special day. All the kids were very interested in the party hats they had worn. The cake was so delicious. Everything went out so perfect. Thank you so much!... [We are] very appreciative and very grateful for all the love.”

This is why, with your support, we continue to do what we do.

On Friday, August 18, Birthday Dreams was fortunate to be the charity of choice for the 40th Annual Genie - A Terex Corporation Employee Golf Tournament. This is the second year in a row that we were the selected non-profit and we couldn't be more grateful!

BNI - Kent Networkers Chapter. Last month, we were invited to attend a weekly meeting of the Kent Networkers Chapter of BNI. They provided our Development Director, Jarod Drozdowski, the opportunity to give a presentation on Birthday Dreams in front of their group of 50+ members. Thank you, BNI Kent Networkers, for the opportunity to spread the word about the work that we do.

Last month, J.A. Laraque donated 24 toys to Birthday Dreams (see picture), which brings him to 37 donations to date.

J.A. runs a YouTube channel where he reviews toys and then donates the toys to Birthday Dreams. In addition to his generous in-kind donation, the visibility he provides us on his channel drives awareness of Birthday Dreams. Our thanks to J.A. for his donations and for sharing Birthday Dreams with his viewers!

Each month Birthday Dreams receives grant awards from our terrific foundation partners. Without their support, we could not do what we do.

Last month, we received a $979 grant from the Charities Aid Foundation America. We are so thankful for its support.

Cyndi Sheldon, Sue Woller, and Cindy Straub started their journey with Birthday Dreams in 2016.

Cyndi is the current Mamma’s Hands House of Hope party coordinator. Cyndi, Sue, and Cindy have each volunteered at upwards of 50 parties, donated gifts for 42 children, and the "goodies" (juice, ice cream, and cakes) for 46 parties, which ranks them among our top 10 volunteers for each of those categories. Wow!

Cyndi said, “We've enjoyed every minute of the time. My friend Sue saw a story on the news about Birthday Dreams, what they did for kids, and that the facility was broken into. The robbers took all the laptops, electronics etc. It was heartbreaking to think they worked so hard to help kids then it was stolen. Sue thought this was a great opportunity for me to volunteer. Turns out she and our friend Cindy all signed up together. Mamma’s Hands is a small shelter, so the three of us can handle it. Sue makes amazing cakes; I make the treat bags and buy the gifts (we all put money in to purchase them), and Cindy handles the juice, ice cream, and any babies that come to the party she will cradle. The three of us go to dinner together before the party; a chance for us to catch up with each other. We have been touched by all the wonderful families we have met over the years; many have tough situations but so much inner strength. The time has gone so fast. It is hard to believe we started in 2016. It is such an amazing feeling to be able to share our time and talents to impact these kids’ lives. If you are thinking about volunteering to help at one of the sites, do it, you will never regret it.”

We are so glad to finally recognize these amazing women in this long-overdue Volunteer Spotlight. Thank you, ladies, for all your support!