A few weeks ago, I shared my daughter’s second birthday party . At two, she is just starting to understand how wonderful birthdays make us feel. So naturally, I did everything I could to make it unbelievably special for her.
As I cut, pasted, and crafted my way through her birthday-party details , I wasn’t oblivious to the fact that there are many kids who won’t be celebrating birthdays this year. Their parents won’t have a home to gather their loved ones together in, and they won’t have the money to buy a cake or presents. They won’t be able to host a party, let alone think of a “theme” because they’re homeless.
Then there are children who find themselves sick and in hospitals on their birthday. Imagine what that feels like? Poked and prodded, weak and confined? As a mother, I literally couldn’t imagine either situation, because all I am blessed to know is my daughter’s smile above the glow of her birthday candles.
I’m working hard to teach my daughter the importance of giving back, even at times where moments are seemingly all about her. Giving back during birthday parties and thinking about kids who are less fortunate than my daughter in her own moments of celebration is a perfect example.
On that note, I’ve had the privilege of meeting two amazing moms who are actively making a difference to bring joy back into birthdays for homeless and sick children. Paige Chenault’s The Birthday Party Project hosts monthly birthday parties at homeless and transitional living facilities… and Stephanie Grimm’s The Confetti Foundation supplies birthday party kits to children who spend their birthdays in the hospital.
I had a great time chatting with Paige and Stephanie. Not only did they both begin their charities after becoming mothers, but both women incorporate their children and their kids’ friends into their work. And both believe our kids can make a magical difference in the life of a child who loves the same songs, shows, and toys as they do… and should also feel the same birthday joy.
They shared with me some brilliant, actionable ideas and advice for ways kids can give back, even at their own birthday parties:
1. Volunteer at a birthday party for a homeless child
2. Donate duplicate presents
Organizations like The Birthday Party Project also accept duplicate birthday party gifts for their party recipients. (So keep that in mind, when you four-year-old gets about ten Minions too many at his Despicable Me party)! Toys valued around $30 can be sent to The Birthday Party Project distribution center to help brighten a homeless child’s birthday.
3. Get crafty for a cause
The Confetti Foundation accepts kid-drawn birthday cards for their party boxes, which are delivered to hospital-bound children on their birthdays. It’s a great craft for kids to participate in around their own birthday, or as a birthday party activity! Says founder Stephanie Grimm, “It becomes a teaching lesson that indeed it is our birthday, and we want to share with friends and family, but we should also share our birthday with our ‘birthday buddy’ (someone else who has the same birthday as us) who unfortunately has to do it in the hospital.”
At your child’s next birthday party, why not set up a craft station of blank cards, markers, and stickers, and let the kids go to town creating birthday wishes. The kids will get excited to know that they’re doing something special for another kid in need of a little bit of sunshine. Learn more here .
4. Put extra party supplies to good use
All those extra party tchotchkes you stocked up on and never used? Don’t let them go to waste (or collect dust in storage)! Moms can turn party extras into what Chenault calls “birthday magic.” Just send any of the below extras to The Birthday Project.
In particular they’re looking for:
- party supplies (hats, blowers, banners, birthday badges)
- plastic round and rectangular tablecloths
- gift-wrapping supplies and bags
- gift cards (Target, Walmart, Visa, Toys R Us)
5. Raise money to buy a birthday gift for a child in need
Even if you and your children do not have a Birthday Party Project coordinator in your area, your family can give back on a national scale! The Birthday Party Project believes in creative donations that help our kids understand the importance of giving back. Around their birthday, they can make a donation from their piggy bank, host a lemonade stand, or even contribute via their unique #shareyourbirthday initiative.
6. Learn through Mom’s example
The best way for my daughter to understand the importance of giving back is for her to see me making charity a part of my life. The Confetti Foundation seeks volunteers nationwide to approach local local hospitals to explain the project and hopefully get them on board. These volunteers are lovingly known as “birthday fairies” and “birthday heroes.” Once you, as a birthday fairy, establishes a partnership with your local hospital, The Confetti Foundation sends party kits to to you, and in turn, you’ll deliver them to the hospitals’ Child Life Services departments. The kits provide a variety of party supplies and decorations for four people—enough for the child and the three visitors allowed in the room at the same time.
“All families have to do is add cake,” said Grimm.
7. Fuel a wish-list
If your little one loves crafts, consider putting together a birthday care package for the The Confetti Foundation , so they can have all the products they need to supply in their birthday care boxes. You and your child can find these together in your local crafts store, then decorate your package, en route to The Confetti Foundation—find their address here .
- Baker’s Twine (all colors)
- Stickers (in sheets or rolls)
- white card stock paper
- wooden forks and spoons
- tissue medallions, honeycombs, or poms (all colors)
- packing tape
- paper cutter
- 1.5 inch round craft punch
MORE ABOUT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY PROJECT:
MORE ABOUT THE CONFETTI FOUNDATION:
The Confetti Foundation supplies birthday party kits to children who spend their birthdays in the hospital. Through the party kits, children of all ages are celebrated and honored on their special day.
Stephanie Frazier Grimm developed The Confetti Foundation when her best friend’s baby was born eight weeks premature with many complications. Stephanie’s friend spent hours every day driving to the hospital NICU with her toddler and husband as her baby gradually grew stronger. During those long drives, Stephanie and her friend would talk about their families, the weather, their jobs, the good times they had in college, and anything else that served as a distraction. One conversation led to baby C’s hospital “buddy” who was going home and finally getting to have a birthday celebration.
Stephanie wondered what happened when children were in the hospital on their birthdays. Do they have a party? She discovered the answer was almost always “no.” Parents with sick children are only thinking about their children getting healthy, not leaving their sides to gather supplies and put together a birthday party. Typically, birthday celebrations take place when a child comes home. She knew there was a way to help, and she devised the idea of crafting party kits, which hospitals could have on hand to help a sick child celebrate. (Stephanie hosts bi-monthly packing parties in her local Rhode Island studio , where kids and adults alike can volunteer to craft and pack the kits!)
Love these ideas and want to see even more of my kid picks? Be sure to check out the full story I wrote for Momtastic , where I am a contributing fashion, beauty and style writer for the site.
The Birthday Party Project photos courtesy of The Birthday Party Project. Confetti Foundation photos courtesy of Meghan Sepe Photography .
