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News, Updates & Opportunities
May 2023
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Miles for Smiles Virtual 5K
May 19 - June 2
THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!
Birthday Dreams’ third-annual virtual Spring Fundraiser, the Miles for Smiles 5K will start on Friday, May 19 and “run” through Friday, June 2.
You can run, walk, or roll at your own pace, anywhere, and in your own way – it’s the movement that matters!
Participate individually or rally up a team! Stay Fit! Stay Safe and support a homeless child's birthday dreams!
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Miles for Smiles 5K participants can get a great Birthday Dreams swag-tote, T-shirt, water bottle and headband. (Supplies are limited and are first come, first served basis).
- Wednesday, May 17th from 10am – 7pm
- Thursday, May 18th from 10am – 7pm
- or Friday, May 19th from 10am – 7pm
To learn more about our event, check out this Miles for Smiles 5K promotional video (our thanks to Vision Ignited Productions for producing), and follow Birthday Dreams on Facebook and Instagram.
Thank you to our amazing event sponsors. We could not do this without you!
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Randall Morris Foundation Events |
Birthday Dreams will once again be a beneficiary of the upcoming slate of three events hosted by The Randall Morris Foundation!
Building on the partnership developed last year, we are thrilled to be one of the two charities that the Foundation will support with its three events in 2023!
Mark your calendars to attend the Randall Morris Foundation:
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Celebrity Poker Tournament on June 24 at Mercedes Benz of Tacoma
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17th Annual Celebrity Gala & Auction on September 10 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, Renton
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Celebrity Golf Tournament on September 11 at the Fairwood Golf & Country Club in Renton
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Ash & Elm Play Studio | May 15 & 16
Ash & Elm Play Studio is doing it again. On the heels of its April 17/18 event, Ash & Elm Play Studio has organized another “point-of-sale” fundraiser for May 15 and 16 where 10% of proceeds will benefit Birthday Dreams! Our thanks to Ashley and the Ash & Elm Play Studio team for their continued support!
Ash & Elm Play Studio
30741 3rd Ave Suite 170
Black Diamond, WA 98010
P: 425-516-7919
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Be sure to mark your calendars to bring your kiddos down to the Ash & Elm Play Studio for a day of fun that your family will certainly enjoy! Reservations are recommended as they regularly are filled to capacity.
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May 3 | Last Day of GIVE BIG '23 |
Our donors are essential to our continued ability to provide hope, joy and a sense of self-worth to homeless children with the gift of a birthday party. Please consider making a donation during the upcoming GiveBig Annual Campaign. Schedule your donation before 11:59 pm, Wednesday, May 3rd to #GiveBig with us.
Note: While Give Big ends May 3. The Washington Gives platform takes donations year-round. |
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With your support we are committed to continuing to bring hope, joy and a sense of self-worth to homeless children with the gift of a birthday party. The below feedback, from the parent of a sweet two-year-old girl who recently received a Birthday Dreams party, is the reason why:
“This party meant a lot to us. She was able to feel the love; feel like she’s important. She was able to be carefree and have fun! She loved her gifts – the theme was excellent! She LOVES Elmo! It gave me a feeling of hope during a difficult transitional and rebuilding time in our lives...Thank you soo much! Your kindness and generosity meant sooo much to my daughter and me."
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We are now accepting donations through VENMO. You can find us under Businesses on this website. The QR code will take you directly to our page. |
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Community Support and Recognition |
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Birthday Dreams was proud to be a featured partner at the Coal Creek Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day event on Saturday, April 29th. Over 600 people were in attendance. Lots of kids stopped by to participate in a toss game to win candy, which we were told is okay in moderation. Thank you, Dalia and Lanette, for staffing the booth!
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Birthday Dreams is grateful to KLOVE and AIR1 Radio for its continued partnership. Tune into one the channels below to hear the Birthday Dreams Public Service Announcement, which is scheduled to play on each of the below stations eight times a day between May 1 and May 14.
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Birthday Dreams is ON AIR! We are honored to have been invited to join Erik Krema in-studio on the “Your Community Matters” program on 1150 AM KKNW!
The interview features Birthday Dreams Board Chair, Janet Barker and Development Director, Jarod Drozdowski.
Set your radio dial to 1150AM KKNW on Thursday, May 11th at 3:30 p.m.
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Please visit the “Your Community Matters” program website for more information:
Our thanks and appreciation to Erik Krema and the entire team at “Your Community Matters”!
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Kids Helping Kids | Eli Robbins |
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13-year-old and 7th grader, Eli Robbins just celebrated his bar-mitzvah (the religious initiation ceremony of a Jewish boy who has reached the age of 13). It gave him a chance to choose a special project to help others, something he felt passionate about and where he could do something to make a difference.
He shared, “I feel it’s unfair that some people are born into a situation where they have privilege, and I think it’s fair for everyone, especially kids, to be able to have joy and make fun memories. There are a lot of organizations focused on food and housing (which is important) but I thought…what comes after that?”
He learned about Birthday Dreams from a family friend and wanted to learn more. Once he did, he asked if he could volunteer and sponsor an event which he was able to do in March with his family. In addition to volunteering, he was also able to raise a lot of awareness about the issue of homelessness and different ways to help through giving a speech about Birthday Dreams to a large group of his family, friends and community. That resulted in people he told donating to Birthday Dreams.
He shared that he enjoyed volunteering at the Birthday Dreams party. The thing that stood out to him most was the kids having fun. Some activities were bracelet making, face paint, bouncy house, and games. He was able to help with setting up, games, and handing out snacks. Eli said, “I think volunteering with Birthday Dreams is cool because you can see the joy in the moment and feel like you really contributed to making that happen.”
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Volunteer Spotlight | Sonny Meadows |
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Sonny Meadows has been volunteering for Birthday Dreams since early November 2022. She was frantically trying to get rid of her Halloween candy and her daughter-in-law told her to donate to “Birthday Wishes” in Renton. She tried searching online for us with no success, but was informed it’s “Birthday Dreams” by the Renton Chamber of Commerce and was given our contact information.
Sonny said, “I arrived at the correct address, introduced myself, donated the candy and asked if they had any volunteer opportunities…and they asked if I liked to wrap gifts, and I found my calling!”
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Sonny is retired and was looking to donate her time. She said, “I volunteer once a week and I really enjoy what I do. I wrap birthday gifts, decorate birthday hats, create ribbons, and any other birthday activities to help support the many birthdays that are provided for homeless children."
Sonny has four grandchildren and says that next to Christmas, their birthdays are a special occasion. She explained, “I understand the excitement and pure happiness that a birthday can bring to a child. I believe these are precious memories that last a lifetime. This is why I like the mission of Birthday Dreams and what keeps me coming back each week.”
Also a Birthday Dreams evangelist, Sonny went on to say, “The staff is incredible. Everyone is friendly, personable, and welcoming. If you have extra time to give, come join us!”
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Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love |
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A four-year-old boy likes Paw Patrol got this very cool cake and cupcakes baked by Sandy Newbury. He also received a racing car, a construction play set, Legos, and a Paw Patrol stuffed animal and clothing set. The delivery was made by Jim Waugh.
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Two siblings, a twelve-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy, celebrated their birthdays with this out-of-this-world comic cake made by the talented Annabelle Kisky. Pre-teen and toddler gifts including a stuffed bear, Squishmallows, bath time toys, Blue’s Clues Clock, colored pencils, a sketchbook, a fragrance set, and gift cards were delivered by Jim Waugh.
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A fourteen-year-old girl was the recipient of this spa cake, which was adorned with real nail polish bottles, compliments of the creative Kristina Tomalesky. The cake, and gifts, including Mind Glowing Moon Lamp, Bluetooth Speaker, body and foot care set, and Chick-fil-a Kids, Amazon, and Door Dash gift cards, and a GameWorks 1 Hour Play Card were delivered by Jacob Stucky.
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Gaming Cake
by Jill Slabey
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Frozen Cake
by Carol Oshiro
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Happy Bee Birthday Cake
by Karen Criddle
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Galaxy Cake
by Chris Wells
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Spa Cake
by Clarice Louis
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Dinosaur Cake
by Rachel Gilmore
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Volunteer Orientation and Opportunities
We are always in need of amazing volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, sign up to attend a brief in-person orientation by emailing our Volunteer Coordinator Dalia Silverstein at Dalia@birthdaydreams.org.
- Tuesday, May 9 from 6PM - 7PM
- Saturday, May 13 from 11AM - 12PM
- Tuesday, June 6 from 6PM - 7PM
- Saturday, June 10 from 11AM - 12PM
Contact our Community Events Coordinator, Leah Battin, at Leah@birthdaydreams.org for team building and service project opportunities.
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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Office and Party Supply Needs |
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We rely on our donors and volunteers to make birthday dreams come true. This month we are in particular need of the following items for our birthday:
- Amazon Fire Tablets
- Ink Pens and Tape
- Video Games (PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One)
- RC Cars
- Board Games for all ages, but teenagers specifically
- LOL Dolls
- Slime Kits
- Hello Kitty Items
- Jewelry Making Kits
- Coloring Books for girls and boys
- Spring / Summer Toys (no bubbles please)
- Water Balloons
- Sprinklers
- Inflatable Pools (including baby pools)
- Slip and Slides
- Floaties
- Squirt Guns
- Beach Toys / Sand Toys
Did you know that you can use Amazon to setup automatic donations? Just select “Subscribe and Save” to make an automatic order monthly for Birthday Dreams and select the Birthday Dreams address when you check out! It’s an easy way to support our office needs and help Birthday Dreams in a big way. Check out the Amazon Wish List for more ideas.
We are always in need of:
- Juice (gallon jugs or boxes)
- Large gift bags, clothing boxes and bows
- Gift Cards in $10 - $25 denominations
- Art Supplies
- Baby / Toddler Learning Toys
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A big Birthday Dreams thank you to all of our new and renewing Birthday Club members this past month:
Adam Hailey
BNBuilders
Salesforce
Shaun Han
The Metalsmiths
Top of the Hill Quality Produce
Please continue spreading the word about Birthday Dreams to your friends, family, and colleagues so we can keep growing our Club roster with even more amazing people!
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Miles for Smiles 5K Event Sponsors |
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