News, Updates & Opportunities

May 2024

As a participant in Birthday Dreams’ Miles for Smiles 5K, you can raise the spirits of the homeless children we serve and inspire hope of a brighter future. All types of movement counts, rolling, biking, hiking, swimming, walking, and running.  

This FUNdraiser is a great way to get out and enjoy the wonders that the PNW has to offer, while supporting Birthday Dreams’ mission! 

It’s easy – just visit our event website: smiles.birthdaydreams.org to get started on the registration process. Then, network with your friends, family and colleagues to spread the word to get financial support. Finally, during the two-week 5K track your progress!

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. 

A big Birthday Dreams thank you to our sponsors:

With a month of promotional ads leading up to the big Radiothon day, we were able to reach thousands of ears on air to let radio listeners know all about the good work that we do for homeless youth and families in our area and by April 26, we had already received over $1,000 in donations.

During the 7 am-7 pm broadcast, KIXI 880AM radio hosts, Erik Krema, Seth Thompson, Benny Mathers, and John Tesh provided the listening audience with interviews with Birthday Dreams staff, board members, volunteers, and clients and provided promotional commercials throughout the day.

To date, donations from the KIXI/KKNW audience total nearly $8,500!

The fundraiser continues through the month of May with Birthday Dreams ads featured on air and on the radio station website, so if YOU would like to donate to this cause and listen to some terrific tunes – check out their live radio feed at www.kixi.com. Click here to donate to the event.

We are so grateful to the entire team at KIXI 880 AM, KKNW 1150 AM, and Hubbard Radio for the opportunity to get the word out and raise some funds for the homeless children we serve! 

This month we’re shining the volunteer spotlight on Candace Krull. Candace has been sharing her cake-baking talent with Birthday Dreams since 2022. A committed volunteer, she has already donated 26 cakes in 2024! We are always excited to see what she brings us.

When asked how she got started with Birthday Dreams and why volunteering with us is important to her, Candace had this to say: “I first learned about Birthday Dreams through a dear friend who shares my passion for baking. She had a feeling it would deeply resonate with me, and she was absolutely right. As former foster parents, my husband and I have had the privilege of caring for numerous children over the years. One tender little 3-year-old boy particularly touched our hearts and the thought that he may have missed out on celebrating his first three birthdays weighs heavy on my heart. That little boy is now our son, and we've been blessed to celebrate 14 birthdays together. Being able to bake cakes for children in similar circumstances fills me with immense satisfaction. Volunteering with Birthday Dreams is truly a rewarding experience.” 

Thank you so much Candace, we truly appreciate your dedication to helping us in our mission. 

Previously, Sydney served as Vice President of Global Communications at Axon, the leading public safety technology company, where she spearheaded PR and communications, crisis management and built the largest tech conference in policing with her team. She received a B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington.

Sydney enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her family (she loves cheering on her three children at their sporting events). She is passionate about giving back to the community and is thrilled to contribute to Birthday Dreams' mission of bringing joy and a sense of self-worth to homeless children on their birthdays. She looks forward to leveraging her expertise to raise awareness and support this meaningful cause.

In June, we will provide additional information on Chun Li.

A lucky boy celebrating his 9th birthday received this Mandalorian cake made by Kristina Tomalesky. The birthday boy also received a skateboard and safety pads. The Mouse Trap board game and Operation X-Ray and pinball games. The delivery was made by volunteer Jim Waugh.

This incredible Lego-themed cake was made by Glynda Steiner for a speical boy turning 9. He also received a Lego Marvel building set, a new pair of shoes, and books 1-3 of the DogMan series. This entire party was delivered by Jim Waugh.



An eight-year-old girl received this amazing rainbow cake by Cherrie Smith. The birthday girl also received gifts donated by Sally Eastey, including multiple LOL Dolls, LOL Doll-themed bath sets, and a DIY beading art kit. Cherrie delivered the cake herself, and the rest of the party was delivered by Mae McMullin.

Lego cake by Candace Krull

Butterfly Cake by Carolyn Weger

Space cake by Cherie Katana

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 or virtual orientation by emailing Tabitha as well. In-person orientations are generally held on the 2nd Saturday and 3rd Tuesday of every month, and the virtual orientations are generally held on the 1st Tuesday and 4th Saturday of every month. 

• Saturday, May 11 from 11am - 12pm (In Person)
• Tuesday, May 21 from 6pm - 7pm (In Person)
• Saturday, May 25 from 11am-12pm (Virtual)
• Tuesday, June 4 from 6pm - 7pm (Virtual)

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. 

Onsite Party Volunteers Needed | Immediate Need for Help

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 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).

Volunteers currently needed at the following shelters for the next month: 

• Sunday, May 26 from 1pm – 3pm at Mary’s Place Burien in Burien – 10 volunteers needed (age 18+)
• Wednesday, May 29 from 6pm-8pm at YMCA Passage Point in Maple Valley - 6 volunteers needed
• Tuesday, June 4th from 6pm - 8pm at Mary’s Place Northshore in North Seattle – 9 volunteers needed (age 18+) 
• Sunday, June 23rd from 1pm – 3pm at Mary’s Place Burien in Burien – 12 volunteers needed (age 18+) 
• Wednesday, June 26th from 6pm – 8pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 5 volunteers needed 

Please contact Tabitha Amoroso if you’re interested in becoming a Party Coordinator. We are currently looking for Party Coordinators for two locations. 

Mary’s Place Burien and YWCA Passage Point Need a Party Coordinator ASAP

Party coordinators pick up the pre-packed bins of supplies, juice, cupcakes, and toys from our Renton office before the onsite party. With assistance from other Birthday Dreams volunteers they will also set up, run, and clean up the onsite party, and return bins to our Renton office at a mutually agreed upon date. The Party Coordinator role is a six-month time commitment to allow for consistent, reliable parties at the shelter. Dates and times of parties are somewhat negotiable; party coordinators are welcome through scheduling conflicts with shelter staff.

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: 

• Interactive learning toys one-year-old and up 
• Hot wheels items
• Health and beauty items for teens (make up, spa kits, cologne, perfume, hair products etc)
• Toddler toys and action figures (paw patrol, Cocomelon, Fisher Price little people)  
• Gift Cards to clothing, experiences and food places 
• Juice Boxes and birthday banners

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. 

Our team is also in need of help to get some other in-office items that YOU could assist with!

Office supplies:  

• Scotch tape 
• Expo pens (all colors)
• Zip lock bags (all sizes)
• Cake boxes (all sizes)
• Card stock paper (all colors besides black and dark blue)
• Permanent markers (sharpies large for bags) 
• White envelopes 4.5in/9.5in (peel and seal)
• Wrapping paper (no holidays)
• Gift wrapping bows (all sizes and colors)

A big Birthday Dreams thank you to all of our new and renewing Birthday Club members this past month: