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News, Updates & Opportunities
April 2023
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Miles for Smiles Virtual 5K
May 19 - June 2
THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN! The Miles for Smiles 5K starts in just a little over one month!
Click HERE to register or to donate!
Participate individually or rally a group of friends, family members or co-workers and start a team! We've made it easy for you to spread the word. As part of your registration, you will receive a unique fundraising URL for you to share via email and social media.
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Set your own start line and time (anytime from May 19-June 2) and run, walk, or roll at your own pace and in your own way – it’s the movement that matters!
Many thanks to our amazing event sponsors. We could not do this without you! Scroll down to see sponsor logos.
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Lead Sponsor: Chick-fil-A
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Race Sponsors: Farmers Insurance and Greet Magazine.
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Run Sponsors: Cugini Florists, Auld Properties, BNBuilders, and Whistle Stop Ale House
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Jog Sponsors: Janet & Jerome Barker, Melrose Grill, and Becki Culbert
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Walk Sponsors: Mecham Bookkeeping and Root Sports.
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Sweet Dreams Fundraiser
April 17- May 1
Birthday Dreams is once again benefitting from a two-week point-of-sale fundraiser organized by Chick-fil-A of Puget Sound! All Chick-fil-A locations in the Puget Sound are participating.
For every chocolate chunk cookie, chocolate fudge brownie, and Icedream® Cone sold April 17 - May 1, Chick-fil-A will donate $0.30 to Birthday Dreams!
Satisfy your sweet-tooth craving, visit your nearest Chick-fil-A location during the Sweet Dreams Fundraiser and support us in the process! Talk about a truly sweet deal!
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Day of Play Fundraiser
April 17 - 18
We are excited announce new partner, Ash & Elm Play Studio, is hosting “point-of-sale” fundraiser where 10% of proceeds on April 17 and 18 will benefit Birthday Dreams!
Mark your calendars, and plan to bring your kiddos to the Ash & Elm Play Studio for a day of fun that your family will certainly enjoy!
Ash & Elm Play Studio
30741 3rd Ave Suite 170
Black Diamond, WA 98010
P: 425-516-7919
Our thanks to Ashley and the Ash & Elm Play Studio team for their support!
Reservations are recommended as they regularly are filled to capacity.
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Healthy Kids Day - April 29
Come visit our booth at the Healthy Kids Day Event at Coal Creek Family YMCA location on Saturday, April 29 from 10am-1pm. A big thank to our new partner, Coal Creek Family YMCA, for inviting us to spread the word about our organization. Hope to see you there.
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With your support we are committed to continuing to bring hope, joy and a sense of self-worth to homeless children with the gift of a birthday party. And the below feedback, from a single mother of three children under six, one of whom recently received a Birthday Dreams party, is the reason why:
“Birthday Dreams is the best organization. My family is so blessed to have help celebrate my girl's 3rd birthday. She was a real princess with beautiful cake and games and gifts. Thank you all so much... without your generosity we wouldn’t have been able to have a party with friends...my kids were so excited."
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Earlier this year, we connected with KG, a single mother who had become disabled due to a work injury and found herself struggling. KG and her teenage son were living in a shelter, money was tight, and no work prospects were available to her.
KG was uncertain that she would be able to celebrate her son’s 14th birthday; her son also doubted that he would get his special day. But KG was determined, and just 10 days before his birthday, she found out about Birthday Dreams. KG said:
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“Birthday Dreams really came to our aid! They put together a fantastic video-game themed party package that arrived just in time! My son was totally surprised, and it made us both feel like we’re gonna be okay this year. Thank you Birthday Dreams for making this happen for my boy!”
Our donors are essential to our continued ability to provide hope, joy and a sense of self-worth to homeless children with the gift of a birthday party. Please consider making a donation during the upcoming GiveBig Annual Campaign. The official campaign runs April 18-May 3. Schedule your donation before 11:59 pm, Wednesday, May 3rd to #GiveBig with us.
Note: While Give Big ends May 3. The Washington Gives platform takes donations year-round. |
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Community Support and Recognition |
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Birthday Dreams is grateful to KLOVE and AIR1 Radio for its continued partnership. Tune into one the channels below to hear the Birthday Dreams Public Service Announcement, which is scheduled to play on each of the below stations eight times a day between May 1 and May 14.
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We are so fortunate to have a new supporter in Game Works! They donated 550 1-hour gameplay cards for us to include in our birthday packages. This donation is valued at $5,500 and a LOT of our Birthday Dreamers will be able to have a fun time at the arcade this year, thanks to Game Works! |
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Lolly & Company is one of our most dependable donors of toys and gifts. They have been a supporter of Birthday Dreams for years and we are honored to have their help in maintaining our inventory of toy supplies. So far this year, Lolly & Company has donated over 100 items, valued at nearly $1,000 to our cause. Donated items included Coloring/Activity books, toddler toys, shirts, games, building toys, and action figures.
Thank you, Lolly & Company, for your continued (and amazing) support!
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Have you wondered why Birthday Dreams' social media has been so awesome lately? We would like to introduce you to the wonderful team that creates our content. We have three very talented high school interns that create most of the content you see on our social media. They are all juniors and all talented! Click here to learn more about them:
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Volunteer Spotlight | Karen Criddle |
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Karen Criddle learned to decorate cakes as a kid. Her mom made all of her and her sibling's birthday cakes and wedding cakes, as well as cakes for friends and family. Over the years Karen too made cakes for friends and family.
In 2021, one of Karen's co-workers learned about Birthday Dreams and told Karen it would be the perfect opportunity for Karen to put her cake baking skills to work for a cause. Karen said, “She was right! I really enjoy the creative aspect of making the cakes and thinking what the child receiving it would like, how to make their day special. Volunteering for Birthday Dreams works great for my schedule, which is somewhat unpredictable/irregular, because I can take a look at the cakes needed for the next week or two and see if I’m going to be in town and pick a birthday that fits.”
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Karen went on to explain how the tools for decorating now are amazing and how Pinterest and other social media platforms provide an endless supply of ideas. Needless to say, her cakes, like the one pictured here, are AMAZING!
Karen recently signed up to bake cupcakes for an onsite party for 60 people. When the shelter raised their numbers to 100 and she was asked to make the additional 40 cupcakes, she responded, “I’ll recruit a friend- can do!” Karen has baked cakes or cupcakes for us every month since starting in December 2021; she once baked eight cakes in a single month. A huge thank you to Karen for the many treats she's made for our birthday kids.
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Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love |
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A very active two-year-old girl, who loves doughnuts, was surprised with this amazing box of doughnuts cake created by Britt Oswald. The birthday girl also received a bouncy toy, books, and gift cards. Thank you, Jim Waugh, for making the delivery.
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Jaime Kang made this fit for a princess cake for a special seven-year-old. A fan of arts and crafts, the birthday princess also received art supplies, a fidget spinner, book, Barbie, and gift cards. Delivery was made by the awesome Jim Waugh.
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Sweet 16 was super groovy for our birthday girl, thanks to this beautiful tie-dye cake made by Jenna Pickell. Jim Waugh delivered the cake along with some makeup, body and fragrance kits, a book, and gift cards.
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Spiderman Cake by
Issabelle Hayden
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Fortnite Cake by
Kristina Tomalesky
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Frozen Cake by
Megan Knudsvig
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Volunteer Orientation and Opportunities
We are always in need of amazing volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, sign up to attend a brief in-person orientation by emailing our Volunteer Coordinator Dalia Silverstein at Dalia@birthdaydreams.org.
- Saturday, April 22 from 11AM - 12PM
- Tuesday, April 25 from 6PM - 7PM
- Tuesday, May 9 from 6PM - 7PM
- Saturday, May 13 from 11AM - 12PM
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.
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Office and Party Supply Needs |
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We rely on our donors and volunteers to make birthday dreams come true. This month we are in particular need of the following items for our birthday:
- Amazon Fire Tablets
- Ink Pens and Tape
- Video Games (PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One)
- RC Cars
- Vacuum cleaner for our office
- Board Games for all ages, but teenagers specifically
- LOL Dolls
- Slime Kits
- Hello Kitty Items
- Jewelry Making Kits
- Coloring Books for girls and boys
Did you know that you can use Amazon to setup 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.
We are always in need of:
- Juice (gallon jugs or boxes)
- Large gift bags, clothing boxes and bows
- Gift Cards in $10 - $25 denominations
- Art Supplies
- Baby / Toddler Learning Toys
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A big Birthday Dreams thank you to all of our new and renewing Birthday Club members this past month:
- Kristina and Timothy Auld
- Jerome and Janet Barker
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Boeing Company Gift Match
- Dani Brazzle
- Rebecca Culbert
- Disney Matching Funds
- Ashley and Sarah Giles
- Vicki Kennerud
- Madison Lynd
- Lance Stevens
- Bob and Jaqueline Tacher
- Greg and Wende Wahl
Please 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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Announcing - Donate with Venmo |
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For your convenience, we have added Venmo for an easy way to make donations. Use the QR code or find us using @BirthdayDreams. Thank you for your support! |
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Miles for Smiles 5K Event Sponsors |
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