|
|
News, Updates & Opportunities
July 2022
|
|
Gala of Dreams Tickets On Sale Now |
|
|
|
This year’s event, which will be held on Saturday, October 8th, will be both in-person and virtual so everyone can attend, have fun, and support Birthday Dreams.
The in-person event will be held at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Renton. We anticipate that in-person Gala tickets will sell out quickly so secure your seat(s) or table(s) today!
Want to help us build out our silent and live auction catalog? Click here for ideas of items we are actively seeking. Or, if any of your friends/family/colleagues, have ideas, items or experiences to contribute, please reach out to our Development Director Jarod Drozdowski at 425-524-4705 or jarod@birthdaydreams.org.
|
|
|
Join Our Renton River Days Float |
We have an exciting opportunity for our Birthday Dreamers. The Renton River Days Parade is back this year, and you are invited to be a part of the parade. People of all ages are welcome to help us spread the word about Birthday Dreams by walking or riding alongside our float handing out candies.
|
|
|
We will meet at 9:15 am on Saturday, July 23rd. The parade starts at 10 am and goes down 3rd Street in downtown Renton. Walk, ride a bike, or if you have one, decorate and pull your kiddos in your own little wagon. Water will be provided. Little ones who get tired will have the opportunity to ride on our float or in the truck bed. Have fun with it, come in a costume from favorite birthday theme (princess, Seahawks or paw patrol) or wear your favorite Birthday Dreams t-shirt. While supplies last, you can purchase a Miles for Smiles t-shirt for $12; note your size in the comments section of sign up. |
|
"Leaving a domestic violence situation makes every day a lot tougher to navigate for a long time. This precious organization made all that hardship disappear for [my son's] special day. It was critical for him to have that."
These are words from the mother of a special little boy who recently received a Birthday Dreams birthday. Unfortunately, her living situation is not unique, which is why with your support we will continue to do what we do. The mother went on to say that her young son was,"...so happy to see the cake, decorations and gifts...This made an otherwise very difficult year a celebration of abundance. [My son] deserves the world and [Birthday Dreams] helped give him a piece of that."
|
|
|
Community Support and Recognition |
|
Sprague Pest Control Donates Time and $500 |
The team from Sprague Pest Control in Tacoma and gave around three hours of their time to volunteer at our Renton HQ, wrapping dozens of gifts for our birthday kiddos. They made a HUGE impact in just a short amount of time. To boot, they donated a check for $500 to Birthday Dreams! AMAZING!
We thank the team from Sprague Pest Control for its amazing volunteer support and generous donation!
|
|
|
Grant Awards
Each month Birthday Dreams receives grant awards from our terrific foundation partners. We would like to highlight the financial support from the following grant funders:
- Tacoma Rotary Fundraising ($2,500)
- Gottfried & Mary Fuchs Foundation ($1,000)
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the above foundations for their generosity and support of Birthday Dreams!
|
|
|
|
Randall Morris Fundraiser Drives Awareness |
Birthday Dreams would like to thank The Randall Morris Foundation for inviting us to be a part of its annual Celebrity Poker Tournament fundraiser, which was held at the luxurious Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma show room in June.
Birthday Dreams had an information kiosk up during the event, which was attended by over 150 guests and celebrity sports figures. Community support is a critical to our sustainability and growth and outreach is critical to gaining that support - we are excited and optimistic about the great show of interest in our organization from event guests.
Sidenote: Our very own Chris Spahn placed 5th overall in the poker tournament!! Great job, Chris!
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Spotlight | Sarah Askander
|
|
In 2019, Sarah, who lives in Renton and works at The Boeing Company, was googling places nearby where she could volunteer. Birthday Dreams was one of the top results. After reading our website, Sarah said she “fell in love” with the vision and mission of our organization. Shortly thereafter, she began making Birthday Dreams deliveries. Sarah said, “I love dropping off birthday presents and cakes to the receiving children and their families. Everyone is always so happy and excited to see me come to the door…you can tell they feel so special and it’s a beautiful thing to be a part of...”
|
|
|
Sarah comes from a large family that immigrated here from Egypt in 1969. She said that her family has always celebrated and made birthdays special for all the kids growing up – and it “touches her heart delivering birthdays to kids and families and seeing the excitement and joy that it brings to them.” Sarah also said that volunteering “really touches and fulfills something in [her] life, too.”
In addition to Birthday Dreams, Sarah loves walks at the beach and park, working out at Orangetheory, going to church, and spending time with my family, especially her nieces and nephews.
Thank you, Sarah for being an amazing part of our volunteer community.
|
|
Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love |
|
For our birthday boy turning 13, this Seahawks cake, made by Molly Boyd, was a touchdown! Our thanks to delivery driver Edward Landreth for delivering the cake and gifts.
|
|
Cake Baker Sonali Vaid made a slam dunk with this amazing basketball cake. The recipient was a lucky young man turning 14 who loves sports and the color blue. The cake and gifts were delivered by Jim Waugh.
|
|
It was a magical day for this little girl turning nine who love barbies and the color pink. Her unicorn party was complete, thanks to Cake Baker Mia Lusher. Thank you, Jim Waugh, for making the special delivery. |
|
Volunteer Orientation and Opportunities
Upcoming in-person orientations:
- Tuesday, July 12 at 6 pm
- Saturday, August 13 at 11 am
- Tuesday, August 16 at 6 pm
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.
|
|
Party Supply Needs | Amazon Prime Days and Amazon Smile
We rely on our donors and volunteers to make birthday dreams come true. There are some items we are always in need of:
- Juice (gallon jugs or boxes)
- Large gift bags, clothing boxes and bows
- Gift Cards in $10 - $25 denominations
- RC Cars and Toddler Toys
Our Amazon Wish List is updated regularly, and we are always grateful for your donations. July 12 and 13 are Amazon Prime Days. Order through smile.amazon.com and select Birthday Dreams as your charity of choice and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Birthday Dreams.
|
|
|
|
Birthday Dreams thanks the following Birthday Club members who joined or renewed their membership in April. We appreciate your generous support:
Devin Imamura, Bradley Slatton, Laura Spinella, Tiffany Stewart, Amy Svensson Banner Bank, Chick-Fil-A, Herzl-Ner Tamid, The Gottfried & Mary Fuchs Foundation, Highland Dental Center, The Janet Moore Fund, Made in Washington, LLC, Sprague Pest Solutions. Tacoma Rotary Fundraising and Top of the Hill Quality Produce Maples
|
|
|
Please continue spreading the word about Birthday Dreams. We'd love to grow the club with more thoughtful and generous people like you!
If you are not a current Birthday Club member and would like to join, please visit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
