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News, Updates & Opportunities
January 2024
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Annual Holiday Appeal | Still Time to Give | |
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Our thanks and appreciation to everyone who has supported the Holiday Appeal Campaign thus far. To date, we’ve raised over $8,000!
Good news! It’s not too late to contribute to the campaign. If you would like to help us usher in the new year with a contribution that will enable us to reach more children in need, you can do so by going to our secure website or by scanning the QR code. Our Holiday Appeal giving levels can be found here.
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Contributions of any and every denomination make a difference. With your help, we will be able to bring joy, smiles, and hope to even more homeless youth and families in 2024. Families like the Adkinson family, whom gave a moving testimonial at the 2023 Gala of Dreams. The family spoke about the positive impact of a Birthday celebration both for the children who are celebrated, as well as the parents, who can provide joy for their children during a very difficult time. Scan the QR code or click here to view the 2023 Birthday Dreams organization video, featuring the Adkinson family. | |
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Birthday Dreams would like to welcome Leesa McCallum to the team. Lessa succeeds Dalia Silverstein in the role of Executive Assistant.
Lessa was born and raised in the Coast Salish Territories of Washington. She is an enrolled member of the Puyallup Tribe, who are known for their welcoming and generous behavior. Lessa has over 30 years of government administration experience. Community service is a way of life taught and handed down from her ancestors, family, and Tribal Elders, and serving on boards, commissions, and committees in her community has been Lessa’s life's passion.
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Leesa is a proud mother of two, Marquise and Monae, whom she refers to as her M&M’s. In her spare time, she enjoys road trips, being in the mountains with trees and water, trying new foods, learning about new cultures, and watching documentaries and biographies. Lessa brings a wealth of experience and integrity to the position, and we know she will be a great addition to the team.
Many thanks to Dalia Silverstein for her service. Dalia started volunteering with Birthday Dreams in 2014, and in 2022 she joined the staff as an Executive Assistant. Her contributions over the years have been invaluable, from being the “go-to” person at many galas, among other events, to baking cakes to stepping in to help with numerous open positions during transitional periods; she has been an instrumental part of the team for many years. We’d like to extend a big Birthday Dreams thank you to Dalia and wish her all the best as she begins a new adventure.
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Join Our Board or a Committee | |
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Are you thinking about becoming more involved with Birthday Dreams? We have options for you!
We are actively recruiting new members for our Board of Directors and various committees. Perhaps you may be interested?
Birthday Dreams Committees
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Marketing & Development Committee: A fundraising and marketing-oriented committee. Meets virtually once, every other month. We are looking for individuals who of best practices in marketing and fundraising. If interested, contact Jarod Drozdowski.
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Gala of Dreams Steering Committee: Soley focused on all aspects of our annual Gala fundraiser. If interested, contact: Jarod Drozdowski.
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Community Events Committee: A planning and organization committee focused on community outreach/participation. If interested, contact Tabitha Amoroso.
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Fundraising Events Committee: A planning group focused on other Birthday Dreams events (such as Miles for Smiles 5K and our 15th Anniversary Event). If interested, contact Jarod Drozdowski.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors currently has a few seats open. We are looking for qualified, highly motivated individuals to serve as board members for a two-year term, which may be renewed indefinitely.
If you are interested in serving on our Board of Directors, please visit our Board page for more information and an application.
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Save the date | Miles for Smiles 5K
Help Make a Birthday Dream Come True! Mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Miles for Smiles 5K. This two-week virtual fundraising event will take place from May 17 through May 31. Our event registration page will go live soon; keep an eye out for additional communications in the weeks ahead.
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As a participant in Birthday Dreams’ Miles for Smiles 5K, you can raise the spirits of the homeless children we serve and inspire hope for a brighter future. All types of movement counts, rolling, biking, hiking, swimming, walking, and running.
Funds raised from this event directly support Birthday Dreams’ mission to bring hope, joy, and a sense of self-worth by providing homeless children with the gift of a birthday celebration.
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The feedback below was provided by a parent who was able to give their child a birthday party to remember, thanks to Birthday Dreams. This is why, with your support, we continue to do what we do:
“A weight was lifted off of my shoulders. Me being a dad, I want to give my daughter happy memories of her birthday. I got depressed, hating myself for not being able to give my daughter what she wishes... I needed help with my daughter’s birthday as I’m on a fixed income. As it was, I didn’t pay my electric bill this month to be able to buy my daughter a few gifts… My little girl was so happy when we gave her a birthday party. She was surprised and thankful for everything. She had a great time with the few friends she invited… The party made my girl’s day. The gifts and party supplies let me not worry about how I was going to make something out of nothing... Thank you for all you have done.” – NP
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Community Support and Recognition | |
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Birthday Dreams extends its sincere thanks to Thai Nguyen and the entire team at EXP Realty for their amazing work putting on another successful Toy & Coat Fundraiser. This was the 7th year that Thai and her team have selected Birthday Dreams as the beneficiary of their holiday fundraiser. Attendees of this year’s event brought in $4,000 worth of donated items and kept Santa busy with fun family photos!
We are so appreciative of donations and the increased awareness of Birthday Dreams that this event provides us!
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Light of Life Lutheran Church in Covington partnered with The Marine Toys for Tots for their 2023 toy donation drive. This year, there was a surplus of donated items and the Church wanted to get the toys to children in need right away. So, on the suggestion of one of the Church’s members, they contacted Birthday Dreams. Of course, we were delighted with the donation of 250+ toys valued at over $3,000!
Our thanks to the Light of Life Lutheran Church and The Marine Toys for Tots. The toys are certain to put smiles on the faces of many children in the year ahead!
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The South Sound Sea Hawkers Booster Club is the official booster club of our very own Seattle Seahawks! Each year, the Sea Hawkers raises funds for charities in the Puget Sound. This holiday season the Sea Hawkers selected Birthday Dreams as one of six nonprofit organizations to receive a portion of the funds. We are honored to have been selected, and tremendously grateful for the $500 donation. Thank you! | |
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Birthday Dreams is thrilled to announce a significant gift from Eric Young, who donated over $10,000 in stock to our organization!
Eric said, “I am so pleased to support an organization that provides such phenomenal service for the most vulnerable in our community. My family and I are amazed with the work that Birthday Dreams does every day!”
The gift of stock is a wonderful way to support our mission and we are thankful for Eric’s generous donation. Thank you, Eric and family!
If you would like to donate stock to our organization, please email our Development Director, Jarod Drozdowski, or call him at 425-524-4705.
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Thank you to the following organizations for their donations last month:
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8-Bit Arcade donated about 40 gifts, including Nerf guns, books, Hot Wheels, construction vehicles, Funko POP Figures, arts and crafts, games, Barbies, stuffed animals, dinosaurs, science kits, and more.
- The Entai Social Club staff creates winter scenes out of marshmallows and gingerbread and then their students vote on their favorites with coins. This year, the funds raised were donated to Birthday Dreams. What a fun and creative way to raise money.
And thank you to all of the individuals who made donations, among them:
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Michelle Shumskiy and Kyle Saville who donated over 70 gifts valued over $900, including Barbies, toddler learning toys, Lego Sets, scooters, Fisher Price Toys, books, R/C Vehicles, headphones, speakers, stuffed animals, skateboards, puzzles, Playdoh, balls, action figures and Hot Wheels
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Sally Eastey who donated to 18 individual birthday parties with gifts totaling nearly $700!
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Jill Slabey who donated 25 gifts valued over $600, including clothes, shoes, Lego Sets, health and beauty products, gift cards, dolls, and trains.
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Kristi Dyes who donated over 20 gifts, including Barbies, gift cards, bicycles, Lego Sets, and more
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Pam Rosendahl who donated nearly 30 items, including juice, birthday banners, clothes and building sets.
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Carol Oshiro who donated over 20 gifts, including balls, dolls, tablets, games, and more.
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Kristine Peterson who donated over 30 gifts, including Lego Sets, games, building sets, books, and toddler toys.
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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 grants from the partners below. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity!
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First Financial Northwest Foundation $12,000
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Enterprise Holdings Foundation $2,000
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Kids Helping Kids | Andrew Kagle | |
Andrew Kagle approached us a few months ago looking to help us as part of his Eagle Scout Project for Scouts BSA (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America). Andrew said, “My family and I have previously donated and volunteered at Birthday Dreams. When my Eagle project was coming up, I chose to reach out to Birthday Dreams and learned that Birthday Dreams needed help with shelving for their new storage unit. I took the opportunity to make the shelving for my project; I knew it would be for a good cause. Through rigorous planning, research, and trial and error, I was finally able to implement this project with the help of fellow scouts, friends, and family. Birthday Dreams has done a lot for the community, and I wanted to help them be able to continue to contribute to our community.” | |
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Andrew also wanted to thank Northwest Handling Systems for helping him design the shelving and for selling it at production cost, which means Northwest Handling Systems didn’t profit from the purchase.
Thank you, Andrew, for building the shelves and helping us organize our storage unit... just in time for your 18th birthday, how timely! And a BIG congratulations on becoming an Eagle Scout. It's a major accomplishment, we know you are destined to do even more great things in the future.
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Volunteer Spotlight | Edelweiss Austria | |
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Edelweiss Austria was introduced to Birthday Dreams in 2019 at an in-person micro-volunteering event during Microsoft's Annual Give Campaign. Then, in 2020, she hosted a virtual event on our behalf. In the time since Edelweiss has curled ribbon, made goody bags, volunteered at onsite birthday parties, and substituted as a party coordinator. In May 2023, she joined our volunteer workforce in a more official capacity as the party coordinator for Mary’s Place in Burien. Edelweiss adds her personal flair to Mary’s Place parties by creating her own unique goody bags and providing prizes for the kids. Coming back to her roots, recently, she hosted an in-person event as part of Microsoft's 2023 Give event. Birthday Dreams is lucky to have her as part of our team as a volunteer and ambassador for our cause.
On why she chose to volunteer for us, Edelweiss said, “Volunteering at Birthday Dreams is an excellent way to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of others. By volunteering, I’m helping to create a world where every child feels special and valued. I’m giving these children a chance to experience the simple joys of childhood that they might otherwise miss out on. Moreover, volunteering at Birthday Dreams is an opportunity to connect with others who share my passion for helping others. I’ve met people from all walks of life who are united by a common goal: to make a difference in the lives of families and children who need it the most. Being able to share my time, skills, and resources is incredibly rewarding and helps me stay connected and engaged in my community.”
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Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love | |
A lucky girl celebrating double digits (10) received this Unicorn cake made by Issabelle Hayden. The birthday girl also received a body and foot care collection, a slime art masterpiece, a large art set and 10 canvases, a Squishmallow, and a drawing book. Everything was delivered by Jacob Hearen. | |
Nine-year-old twin girls each got matching Glow cakes made by Jo Ann Elrod. Jo Ann also made a Spider-Man cake (not pictured) for the girl’s six-year-old brother. Gifts included games, mystery fun boxes, art materials, Pokémon cards, kid’s makeup kits, dolls, stuffed animals, painting and sewing sets, magic dough, Legos, Hot Wheels, and an R/C Car. The delivery for the three birthday kids was made by Michael Maio. | |
An eight-year-old girl received this fun Unicorn pinata cake by Callia Kwan. Sally Eastey supplied the gifts which included a unicorn ornament, necklace, and ZURU Surprise, a Barbie doll and accessories, a jewelry kit, a secret message pen and journal, and an Encanto nail polish set. Everything was delivered by Operations Manager Lee Blankenship-Flinn. Lee takes on deliveries when we don’t have a volunteer sign-up, so please help if you can. Lee is most needed around the office to ensure parties run smoothly. | |
Sports cake by Chris Wells | |
Glow cake by Kirsten Cluff | |
Unicorn cake by Cathy Footer | |
Rainbow cake by Kristina Tomalesky | |
Mermaid cake by Jackie Muir | |
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Volunteer Orientation and Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering for Birthday Dreams or participating in community service projects / team building events, please email our Volunteer and Community Event Coordinator, Tabitha Amoroso. If you are a new volunteer, sign up to attend a brief in-person orientation by emailing Tabitha as well. These are generally held on the 2nd Saturday and 3rd Tuesday of every month. Below are the next four orientations.
- Saturday, January 13 from 11 am-12 pm
- Tuesday, January 16 from 6 pm-7 pm
- Saturday, February 10 from 11 am-12 pm
- Tuesday, February 20 from 6 pm-7 pm
Follow us on Facebook! Cake and delivery needs are posted weekly, in addition to other posts about what’s happening. A list of upcoming parties and party needs can be found here.
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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 can help volunteer, please sign up to assist. Before signing up, please make sure to read the descriptions and notes to see if there are any restrictions (i.e., age requirement).
Volunteers are currently needed at the following shelters for the next month:
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Sunday, January 28 from 1 pm – 3 pm at Mary’s Place Burien – 12 volunteers (age 18+)
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Wednesday, January 31 from 6 pm - 8 pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 7 volunteers
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Tuesday, February 6 from 6 pm – 8 pm at Mary’s Place Northshore in North Seattle – 8 volunteers (age 18+)
Please contact Tabitha Amoroso if you’re interested in becoming a Party Coordinator. We are currently looking for Party Coordinators for 2 locations.
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Office and Party Supply Needs
We rely on our donors and volunteers to make birthday dreams come true. This month we need the following items for our birthday children:
- Lego sets for all ages
- Dolls (with diverse backgrounds and ethnicities)
- Cake Boxes (12” round, ¼ sheets, and cupcake trays)
- Sports Balls (footballs, basketballs, and soccer balls)
Did you know that you can use Amazon to set up 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/pouches that are non-refrigerated)
- Large gift bags, clothing boxes, and gift bows
- Gift Cards in $10-$35 denominations ($10-$15 for food & beverage locations and $25-$35 for retail locations)
- Art Supplies
- Baby / Toddler Learning Toys
- Sports Balls (footballs, basketballs, and soccer balls)
- Amazon Fire Tablets
- Ink Pens
- 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
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A big Birthday Dreams thank you to all of our new and renewing Birthday Club members this past month:
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Armondo & Angela Pavone
Cameron Stratton
Cunningham Family Fund
Elion Lipton
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
First Financial Northwest Foundation
Heidi Macdonald
Karen Say-Valadez
Mason Helms
Patrick Kang
South Sound Sea Hawkers
Steve and Gail Kaneko
Stewart Title
Rj and Meena Jadhav
Cathy Harger
Jillaine Mae Paust
Vivek Kapoor
Sharron Hartman
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A complete list of our 2023 Birthday Club Members can be found on our Birthday Club page. Our thanks to everyone who contributed in 2023. If you are not a current Birthday Club member, please consider joining us in 2024. Click here to donate. | | |
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We accept donations through VENMO. The QR code will take you directly to our page.
You can also donate by texting “birthdaydreams” to 366283.
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