The "season of giving is upon us." Now, more than ever, Birthday Dreams and the community we support, need your support. Together, we can continue to bring hope, joy and a sense of self-worth to homeless children with the gift of a birthday party. This newsletter is focused on the variety of ways you can support our community, with your time, talent, creativity and monetarily. Thank you for your continued support!
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The statewide restrictions announced November 15 may impact on Birthday Dreams' office hours, but we are pleased to share that we will continue fulfill urgent birthday requests while maintaining the health and safety of our employees and the community we serve. Below are excerpts from a feedback received from mother of a 12-year old girl whose family lost their home after being victimized by a cyber criminal. This is why we do it.
"This has been a very difficult time for our family in general.. So when our family suffered an unexpected tragedy resulting in having to postpone our daughter's birthday party at the last minute, the Birthday-in-a-Box was all we had to celebrate with on her actual birthday...Seeing her eyes light up, and a smile we haven't seen in a while appear, was heartwarming...Receiving gifts and cake (especially the cake, she LOVES cake) enabling us to celebrate as a family made her very happy... I can't thank you enough."
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As you tuck yourself safely into bed tonight, consider this. Currently, over 20,000 people experience homelessness in Washington State on any given night. Thousands of those people are children whose lives have been upended through no fault of their own. They’ve been forced to leave their friends, their pets, and their possessions behind. Some are living in shelters. Some are living on the street. Others are merely couch surfing with friends or relatives.
But all of them are probably scared and lonely and have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Well, what if tomorrow is their birthday? How will they feel knowing their peers are being celebrated, while their birthday will be just another day?
With your gift, you make an immediate impact on homeless children before the holidays. Our goal is to raise $5,000 holiday dollars to bring our Birthday-in-a-Box to 40 deserving kids. That’s 40 birthday smiles! And 40 children who will feel better about themselves this holiday season. If you are able, please consider a donation to help us meet this goal.
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Gifts of $250 or more will qualify you to join our Birthday Club. |
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If you’d like to make your gift in honor or in memory of someone, we’d be honored to send them a special card notifying them (or their family) of your generous and thoughtful gift. Click here to make a tribute gift.
Donations received through December 31, 2020 will qualify toward our 2020 Birthday Club.
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Birthday Dreams Holiday Wish List |
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Holiday Shopping?
Check out Our Wish List
Holiday shopping is starting early this year. While you are doing your Black Friday (Nov 27), Cyber Monday (Nov 30), or general holiday shopping, if you are able, we hope you'll consider a gift to Birthday Dreams.
This list of items includes the most commonly requested birthday gifts and items needed to restock our birthday supplies inventories. Donations can be shipped to or dropped off at our Birthday Dreams office:
1084 Kirkland Ave NE, Renton WA 98056
The mailing address for USPS deliveries is:
PO Box 2722, Renton WA 98056
Please call 425-988-3954 prior to drop off.
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You may also purchase a gift from our Amazon Wish List and have it delivered directly to Birthday Dreams.
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Birthday Dreams Holiday Closures: Thurs, November 26 and Friday, November 27. Thursday December 24 and Friday, December 25. Thursday December 31 and Friday, January 1.
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Giving Tuesday | December 1 |
#GivingTuesday is a movement to create an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.
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During this season of giving (and always) Birthday Dreams appreciates your support. |
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Simple Holiday Drive Ideas |
Although new statewide restrictions will limit our ability to gather this holiday season, we still have the opportunity to "come together" to support our community. Whether you are hosting an intimate family get together, or orchestrating a socially distanced holiday event, you have the ability to exemplify the spirit of the season by hosting a juice box, gift card or toy drive. |
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Consider a neighborhood house lighting or hot cocoa drive by event with a drive-by donation box. If your office is still open, consider offering an opportunity for your patrons to donate. Are your kids in school or a home-school coop? Consider a holiday drive amongst that group. Every bit helps. Together we can do more!
We want to socialize your support. Tag #BirthdayDreamsHolidayDrive2020
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Community Support and Recognition |
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Volunteer Spotlight | Taylor Angulo |
Taylor began volunteering with Birthday Dreams in March 2020, just before COVID-19 hit our community.
She started out baking and donating cakes, but that was just the beginning. Shortly after getting involved, Taylor started attending the Birthday Dreams monthly marketing and development meetings. She quickly realized there were many ways that she could utilize her marketing and creative background more extensively for the benefit of Birthday Dreams. Taylor began helping with our social media and email outreach efforts. She then stepped up to lead marketing for our first ever virtual gala, Celebrate Together. Taylor spent countless hours working on content, graphics, social media campaigns and email communications. Our event wouldn't have been possible without her contributions.
Birthday Dreams is incredibly thankful to Taylor. She is a true rock star.
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Taylor (pictured above left) secured a donation of teddy bears from WARM 106.9, for Birthday-In-A-Box gifts.
"I got involved with Birthday Dreams because even though I work full time, I feel so passionate about the mission and bringing joy to children on their special day. Now more than ever, it is so important to give back and spread joy in our community." - Taylor Angulo
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Thank you Milgard Windows of Hope. Your $7,500 Birthday-in-a-Box donation will allow us to deliver 60 birthdays to children in need in Pierce County.
Birthday Dreams appreciates your generosity and support!
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This is the third year that Ridwell has partnered with Birthday Dreams to donate extra Halloween Candy from their customers. Thanks to their donation (pnoto of the delivery above), our birthday kids will have more candy in their birthday boxes!
Because of Ridwell's contribution to our existing "candy stash," we have all the candy we need to last for months and months to come!
Thank you Ridwell and Ridwell customers for your continued support!
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The club raised $760 for Birthday Dreams during its "Cruise'n for the Babies" event.
Pictured above: Becky Nickels from Birthday Dreams, Anderson Jolly RPh on behalf of Ready Meds Pharmacy, Tiffany Dagan on behalf of Pacific Cascade Mustang Club and Becky and Tiffaney Jones from Birthday Dreams.
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A big thank you Jasmine Ines Daniels (pictured above with her daughter) for her fundraising creativity.
This is the second year that Jasmine has hosted a book drive in Support of Birthday Dreams.
This years drive brought in $3750 in donations, with matches Jasmine anticipates the number will be closer to $5600. That's a lot of books!
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Passive Giving Opportunities |
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Give with Bing: Give Mode is a feature of Microsoft Rewards that enables you to support a cause you care about simply by searching on Bing. Click here for details.
Fred Meyer (Kroger) Community Rewards: Link your Kroger card to an organization, shop at Fred Meyer and swipe your Shopper’s Card at check out. It's that easy. Click here for details.
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Want to get Involved?
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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Want to join our Birthday Club? Donations received through December 31, 2020 will qualify toward our 2020 Birthday Club.
Friend; $250-$499
Champion: $500-$999
Hero: $1,000 - $4,999
Superhero: $5,000 and up
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Foremost Printing
Use the Promo Code, BDD2K2020 and 10% of the sales to Foremost Printing
will be donated to Birthday Dreams.
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Birthday Dreams | http://birthdaydreams.org
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