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News, Updates & Opportunities
November 2021
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Join the Birthday Club this Holiday Season |
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Can you believe it? 2021 is drawing-to-a-close and the Holiday Season is upon us! We here at Birthday Dreams know all too well that the past couple of years have been difficult for so many, and in the spirit of the giving season we would like to expand our effort to provide our birthday celebration services to the homeless children and families that need our assistance the most – and you can help!
For most of us, birthdays are an annual celebration; however, for someone who is homeless and living in a car or shelter, the act of putting on a birthday party can seem impossible. And the child whose birthday is missed, often feels isolated or forgotten. Your contribution to the Birthday Club means that at a child in need will be given a birthday experience they wish for!
Please consider becoming a Birthday Club member today! Your generosity directly and positively impacts the life of a homeless child and provides a gift of joy, dignity, self-esteem and hope. Your gift is 100% tax deductible.
Birthday Club membership levels:
- Superhero ($5,000+) = 40+ birthday celebrations
- Hero ($1,000 - $4,999) = up to 40 birthday celebrations
- Champion ($500 - $999) = up to 8 birthday celebrations
- Friend ($250 - $499) = up to 4 birthday celebrations
How to Join or Renew:
2. Call us at 425-988-3954 and we’ll renew your membership over the phone with your credit card.
We appreciate you. More importantly, the children and their families appreciate you.
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Birthday Dreams in the News |
Check out the segment on King 5 TV:
and the interview on Spirit 105.3:
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This is Why We Do It!
In October, Birthday Dreams helped a mother in recovery to give her little girl a first birthday to remember.
The mother, who has struggled with addiction for over 10 years, shared that her baby being born saved her life; she wanted to do something special to celebrate her daughter.
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She said, " Birthday Dreams thought of everything. I am so blessed going through recovery, I have an arduous schedule and very limited means. I couldn't have provided a birthday like that otherwise. God bless you all. I was in tears. The service you provide is amazing."
Wishing this mother strength in her recovery... and her baby girl a wonderful year ahead.
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Community Support and Recognition |
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Eastside Giving Circle are a group of minded individuals who wish to contribute to worthwhile charities. The group believes that by combining their efforts they can make a greater impact.
After hearing about the good work that Birthday Dreams does for the homeless youth of our community, Eastside Giving Circle chose Birthday Dreams to support during the month of October.
Members of the group made donations over the past month, collectively totaling over $500!
We are so grateful for Eastside Giving Circle's support; their socialization of Birthday Dreams' mission and their generous donation.
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Students at Albert Talley are taught about the importance of servant leadership and a graduation requirement is to complete 20 hours of service. So, after a year of virtual learning, two of Lori Mcewen’s leadership students, Marta Guajardo-Hernandez and Kimoura Blankenship-Flinn, set out to facilitate a school-wide service project that would both bring their classmates together to serve others and help students to achieve their service hours.
Marta and Kimoura contacted Birthday Dreams and together they coordinated a project where 60 students, grades 9-12, decorated hats for Birthday Dreams. Lori expressed how proud she was of Marta and Kimoura for the initiative they took to serve others. Our thanks to Lori, Kimoura, Marta and all of the students at Albert Talley who were a part of this special project.
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Recent 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:
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Kawabe Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee - $5,000
- Whole Foods Market Community Giving Program - $2,892
- Vanguard Charitable – The Matt and Jen Wilson Family Fund - $1,000
These grants will directly fund our Birthday-in-a-Box program. We are grateful to these foundations for their support!
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Volunteer Spotlight | Jim Waugh |
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Last month, one of our very dedicated volunteers, Jim Waugh, celebrated a huge milestone with Birthday Dreams. Jim delivered his 1000th birthday; we were honored to recognize Jim at our recent Gala of Dreams.
Jim found Birthday Dreams three years ago when he was searching online for volunteer opportunities to pursue in his retirement. During his 45 years in the Banking industry Jim did a lot of volunteer work and knew it was something he wanted to continue. He attended a volunteer orientation and never looked back.
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Jim commented that Birthday Dreams provides a great opportunity for him to serve his community and the flexibility to volunteer as he is able. Jim currently delivers parties four to five times a week! He said that he loves getting to see the children when he delivers a party, that their excitement really touches his heart. |
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Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love |
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Mae McMullin delivered spa-themed cupcakes baked by Elizabeth Blake. The birthday girl, who turned 15, loves photography, anime and feeling pampered.
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Cake baker Sirenitty Eberhardt made a 14-year old girl's "Happy Birthday" party extra sweet with this amazing candy topped cake. Thanks to Mae McMullin for making the special delivery.
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The sports themed party, for a birthday boy turning 8, was made complete by this soccer cake baked by Carol Ly and delivered by Jim Waugh.
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Get Involved | Birthday Dreams News |
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Volunteer Orientations and Opportunities
Upcoming in-person orientations:
- Saturday, November 13th at 11am
- Tuesday, November 16th at 6 pm
Contact our Community Events Coordinator, Leah Battin, at Leah@birthdaydreams.org for team building and service project opportunities.
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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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Board Update | Welcome Christine Zeznick |
Birthday Dreams is pleased to welcome Christine Zeznick to our Board. Christine is a National Account Manager at Genie – A Terex Brand, in Redmond, WA. She has an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business/Supply Chain. Involved in the community, Christine also serves on the Board of the Issaquah Ski School, where is she is also a chaperone.
Christine lives in Sammamish with her husband Kevin and their dog Quigley. Originally from Western NY, Christine can be found cheering on her favorite Buffalo and Seattle sports teams on the weekend.
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Club Corner
Birthday Dreams welcomes a HUGE list of new and renewing Birthday Club members (listed below). We encourage you to 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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Lindsay Stewart, Ken & Karen Johnston, Mike Pankaskie, Mary Koontz, Kara Davis, Heidi Vanderlaan, Luke Welling, Mkristo & Nicole Bruce, Delani & Robert Hansen, Dale Kiesz, Christine & Kevin Zeznick, Bill Parmlee, Mikayla Elliott, Jeremy & Tamara Paul, Terrell Dorsey, Katie & Dave Korpi, Dee Burris, Jeff & Liz Swanson, Jason & Sherry Schluter, Chase Smith & Christina Josephson, Samara Caplan, Leah & Mike Battin, Paul DeVitte & Sav-On Insurance, Shawn & Heather Maddox, Shannon Ogier, Erin Medved Burnham & Charles Burnham, Kelli Strand, Jennifer & Craig Gryniewicz, Scott & Deanna Sund, Russ & Heather DuBois, Christine Sterba, Cole & Emily Baldwin, Dave Seymour, Todd & Erin Johnson, Elizabeth Peterson & Laura Oskam, Sherri Smyth, Ana White, Ashley Seffernick, Ben & Shelby Dobbs, Rebecca Bockow, Ellie Elmi, Lawrence Graves & Christine Heckertt, Barbara Del Beccaro & Frank Ross, Terri Diehm, Rick & Janna McMaster, Melissa Fattore & Josh Bain, Katie Trout, Gary & Vicki Faull, Jean & Stacia Zintz, Bill & Kate Morris, Binderiya Naimdii, Diane Dobson, Breanna Braun & James Lydin, Debra Jacobson, Evan & Jared Williams, Philip & Paula Yang, Bradley Slatton, Dana Neuts – The Covington Chamber of Commerce, Jenny & Adam Schoenfeld, Nikesh Parek, PayPal Charitable Giving Fund, Ms. Jennifer Lee Wilson, Vanessa Feliberti, Jason & Stephanie Azarcon, and Precor.
A big THANK YOU to our amazing Birthday Club members!
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