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News, Updates & Opportunities
August 2024
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2024 Gala of Dreams | September 28
The 2024 Gala of Dreams is less than eight weeks away. This year's event will be held on Saturday, September 28 at The Museum of Flight. Tickets are on sale now.
The Gala will once again be hosted by our dynamic duo of entertainment, Brooke Fox (Emcee) and Ron Hippe (Auctioneer), and will include musical entertainment provided by The Tasty Waves during the cocktail hour.
Of course, the Gala will feature an incredible line-up of live and silent auction items, a savory dinner, guest speakers, raise-the-paddle, dessert dash, and will end with a raffle drawing where participants can win round-trip airfare anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
For more event information please visit: The Gala of Dreams or feel free to contact us at E: gala@birthdaydreams.org or P: 425-524-4705.
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The ultimate goal of the Gala this year is to have a fun and successful event that will benefit the 1,500+ homeless children that we serve each year. If you are interested in other ways to get involved please consider:
To volunteer or get ideas of auction items to donate, click here, For more information, visit our website, send an email to gala@birthdaydreams.org or call 425-524-4705.
A big thank you to the following organizations for their sponsorship.
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The Randall Morris Foundation summer event series is coming up - and you are invited!
2024 Randall Morris Foundation Event Schedule:
- 18th Annual Celebrity Gala & Auction on September 8 at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, Renton
- Celebrity Golf Tournament on September 9 at the Fairwood Golf & Country Club in Renton
Tickets available: www.randallmorrisfoundation.org
Volunteers needed for both events. Please contact chris@birthdaydreams.org if you would like to volunteer.
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The feedback below was provided by a mother fleeing a domestic violence situation. The mother wrote:
"The last few months have been a nightmare...then this surprise came through. He [her son] was really excited [about the party] and his little sweet self was ready to share with everyone. This lovely surprise brightened our day. The gifts were so cool and there were things the whole family could enjoy. Nothing is more satisfying to a parent than seeing their children light up with excitement and joy. Thank you and God Bless!"
Feedback like this is why, with your support, we continue to do what we do!
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Volunteer Coordinator
We are hiring for the position of Volunteer Coordinator. This is a part time position working 25 hours a week. It requires excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
There will be an option of adding the role of Community Events Coordinator in November to make this a full-time job.
If you know of anyone interested in this position, please have them send a resume and cover letter to Chris Spahn.
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Community Support and Recognition | |
Grants
Without the grant awards generously endowed by our foundation partners, we could not do what we do. Over the past month, we received grants from the following partners:
- The Starbucks Foundation - $1,000
- The Norcliffe Foundation - $10,000
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Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser
In April, Birthday Dreams was the benefitting charity of a two-week point-of-sale fundraiser organized by Chick-fil-A of Puget Sound (for the third year in a row).
For every Chocolate Chunk Cookie, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and Ice Dream Cone sold during this period, Chick-fil-A donated a percentage of sales to help support our cause. The fundraiser was certainly a Sweet Dream for us as it raised over $9,350!
We are so fortunate to have an incredible partnership with Chick-fil-A of Puget Sound! Thank you!
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Additional Community Support and Donations
Thank you also to all the individuals who made donations this past month, among them:
AMC Alderwood | movie themed gifts
April D'Antonio |gifts and party supplies
Braxton Fishler | games, LEGOs, science and books
Cathy Harger | learning toys
Chick Fil-A | gift cards
Jennifer Carter | Gifts and party supplies
Kara Lucas | games, puzzles, crafts
Kelley Osmanbhoy | crafts, games and books
Lolly and Company | 131 gifts valued at over $1,200!
Maria Magbaleta | crafts, stuffed animals, Hot Wheels, Funko, books
Megan Jensen | cake boxes
Michelle Oord |gifts donated to specific children, ice-cream
Nicolle Scalise | gifts donated to specific children
Party City Tukwila | party supplies
Roger and Susan Atlas | 142 Books
Terah Rios | cake, juice and party supplies
Tracy Vicente | shoes, bags, books, hats, books, crafts
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Kids Helping Kids | Girl Scout Troup 46109 | |
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This month we’d like to recognize an amazing group of girls, Girl Scout Troop 46109. They have been together for five years, since kindergarten, and voted to donate half of the money they raised from 2024 cookie sales to Birthday Dreams! Each of the girls in the Troop chose a gift from our Amazon Wish List for a child similar in age to theirs and had enough funds left over to buy extra gifts.
Their generosity helped to make birthdays special for their peers and expressed care for others. We are grateful and encouraged to witness youth support others in their community and thankful they chose Birthday Dreams!
A huge shout out and thank you to Troop 46109, Nora, Emma (pictured), Maddie, Olivia V., Sawyer, Samantha, Holly, Shloka, Finley, Heather, Olivia N., Aleah, Marlowe, Hannah, Lydia and Leaders, Jaime, Brigid, and Maggie!
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Volunteer Spotlight | Nicolle Scalise | |
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Of becoming involved with Birthday Dreams, Nicolle Scalise said, "When I first heard about Birthday Dreams I thought it was the perfect fit for me! Birthdays are big to me because it is the day the world was blessed with that beautiful person!
I have always enjoyed throwing children’s birthday parties because I love and value children (they’re kind of a big deal), it’s fun, and I want to be a part of expressing to a child that they are valued, important, special, and loved.
I think it’s particularly important when a child is experiencing stress and trauma that we take extra steps to show them people care, and they are seen.
Since volunteering as the interim volunteer coordinator, I have been so blessed! Bakers create incredible cakes that I can see the love poured into. Drivers answer the call at the last minute because we so need help with deliveries. A community that loves these children who give their time, provide gifts, wrap presents, and sort and cut out supplies. Volunteers who paint faces, play games and make parties special. Staff who pour their heart and soul into each birthday.
I am deeply grateful. If you’ve ever considered helping with Birthday Dreams- here’s your invitation. I invite you to the party!"
We are excited to have Nicolle on board with us. Thank you Nicolle for your time, effort and enthusiasm.
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Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love | |
Cake baker Denise Mealy made this whimsical rainbow cake for a lovely 12 year old girl. Susan Holmberg delivered the party, including some great gifts such as craft kits, beauty supplies and games. | |
Noemi Johnson bakes this fun cake for a 2 year old boy celebrating his birthday with a Cocomelon party. His gifts of a Buzz Lightyear, Rescue Bots, clothes &learning toys were delivered by Laurel Tomchick. | |
This Hello Kitty cake created by Tasha Kammerzell brought a lot of happy smiles to the faces of 16 and 17 year old sisters. The sisters were gifted with items with which to pamper themselves and gift cards. | |
LEGO cake by Cathy Footer | |
Sweet 17 cake by Kara Lucas | |
Avengers cake by Erin Hjorten | |
Birthday Beats cake by Chris Wells | |
Tie Dye cake by Cathy Footer | |
Soccer cake by Carolyn Weger | |
Click here to see our complete "Awesome Cakes" gallary. | |
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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 Community Event Coordinator Leah Battin.
If you are a new volunteer, sign up to attend a brief in-person or virtual orientation by emailing Nicolle Scalise. In-person orientations are generally held on the second Saturday and third Tuesday of every month, and the virtual orientations are available upon request.
- Tuesday, August 20 from 6 - 7pm (in-person)
- Saturday, September 14 from 11am - 12pm (in-person)
- Tuesday, September 17 from 6 - 7pm (in-person)
- Please inquire if interested in a virtual orientation
Please inquire if interested in a virtual orientation.
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.
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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:
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Friday, August 23 from 1pm – 3pm at Mary’s Place in Burien – 9 volunteers needed (age 18+)
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Wednesday, August 28 from 6pm – 8pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 7 volunteers needed (all ages)
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Sunday, September 22 from 1pm – 3pm at Mary’s Place in Burien – 12 volunteers needed (age 18+)
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Wednesday, September 25 from 6pm – 8pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 6 volunteers needed (all ages)
Please contact Nicolle Scalise if you’re interested in becoming a Party Coordinator. We are currently looking for Party Coordinators for two locations.
Mary's Place (Downtown Seattle) and YWCA Passage Point (Maple Valley) 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 to work out scheduling conflicts with shelter staff.
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Office and Party Supply Needs
We rely on our donors and volunteers to make birthday dreams come true. This month we desperately need the following items for our birthday children:
- Scooters
- RC Cars
- Skateboards
- Toys and books for ages 1-3
- Soccer balls
- Any balls (all ages)
- Bikes
- Gift cards to clothing, experiences and food places
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
- Cake boxes (all sizes)
- White envelopes 4.5in/9.5in (peel and seal)
- Wrapping paper (no holiday paper)
- Gift wrapping bows (all sizes and colors)
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A big Birthday Dreams thank you to all of our new and renewing Birthday Club members this past month:
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Chick-Fil-A
Gates Family Office Corp.
H.D. Fowler Company
Linda and John Middlebrooks
Loya Brown
Matthew Carson and Ashley Seffernick
Ruth Hubbard
Starbucks Corporate
The Norcliffe Foundation
Whole Foods
A complete list of our 2024 Birthday Club Members can be found on our Birthday Club page. If you are not a current Birthday Club member, please consider joining us in 2024. Click here to donate.
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We accept donations through VENMO. The QR code will take you directly to our page.
You can also donate by texting “birthdaydreams” to 366283.
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