News, Updates & Opportunities

August 2025

Current and Upcoming Events

Matching Gift Doubles Your Impact

The past few years have brought significant challenges for nonprofits throughout the Puget Sound region, and Birthday Dreams is no exception. But, recently, we received some amazing news: a donor who prefers to remain anonymous has pledged $25,000 toward a matching gift challenge.That means your gift of $50 becomes $100, your gift of $500 becomes $1,000, and so on. You can even donate stocks, and the value of the stocks will be matched!

Your support today will ensure that no child is forgotten on their birthday. Give now through our secure donation page and enter “Dream25” in the What inspired you to donate? box. Together, we will keep the dream alive!

Birthday Dreams on Evening Magazine

Birthday Dreams is excited to be featured on King 5 Evening Magazine tonight, Wednesday, August 13 at 7:30 pm. Tune in to learn more about the great work being done in our community!

Gala of Dreams Tickets On Sale Now

Birthday Dreams believes every child deserves to feel special, celebrated, and loved on their birthday. That’s why, on September 27, we invite you to join us at our biggest fundraising event of the year. Click HERE to purchase individual tickets (or a full table of 10).

Hosted at The Museum of Flight, this year’s Gala will be a night of glamour, giving, and a celebration of 16 years of making birthday magic happen for homeless children who need it most. Children like Anthony. Alyssa, a single mom who escaped domestic violence, was living in a shelter with her son, Anthony, when his 13th birthday was approaching. With no financial means to celebrate, Alyssa felt hopeless—until she connected with Birthday Dreams. Anthony received a birthday party tailored just for him: red and black decorations, a Hot Wheels cake, games, and gifts. He felt seen. He felt valued. He felt joy. And Alyssa, for the first time in a long while, felt hope.

The Gala is a party with a purpose, and this year's "16 Candles" themed event will be one to remember. Come dressed in your favorite 80s outfit and "chill out" while the "totally tubular" Kelly Hanson from KING 5’s New Day Northwest and "awesome sauce" auctioneer, Ron Hippe lead us through a night of fun, fundraising, and unforgettable moments. #birthdaydreams #thegalaofdreams #thegalaofdreams2025 #museumofflight #birthday #helpingchildreninned

The night will include:

Funky fresh tunes by DJ Zack
Delicious appetizers + dinner
Powerful stories from clients + community leaders
Live + silent auctions
Our legendary dessert dash
Raise-the-Paddle
Raffle for round-trip airfare anywhere Alaska Airlines flies

For more information, email gala@birthdaydreams.org or call 425-524-4705. Click here to donate an auction item. To volunteer or get ideas for auction items to donate, click here.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

Four Generals Brewing Fun Run

Join us for a 5Kish Run for Beer Fun Run Sunday, August 17, starting at 11 am at:

Four Generals Brewing

229 Wells Avenue South

Renton, WA 98057

A portion of the event proceeds will support Birthday Dreams. Register with the BIRTHDAYDREAMS25 for a $15.00 registration discount. Thank you Four Generals Brewing!

Your registration includes: One craft beverage of your choice from Four Generals Brewing, a collector's pint glass or a series swag item from the Brewery Running Series, access to the day’s festivities including entertainment, games, and giveaways with our partners and sponsors …

The Mission: Be active. Have fun. Give back.

Randall Morris Foundation Events

Birthday Dreams is pleased to be once again a beneficiary of the trio of annual events hosted by The Randall Morris Foundation; the June 28 poker tournament was a big success, and the two events below are right around the corner. Get your tickets today!

September 7 |18th Annual Celebrity Gala & Auction in Seattle
September 8 | Celebrity Golf Tournament in Renton

This is Why We Do It

The parent feedback we receive is a constant reminder of the importance of our work. We want you to be aware of the difference you make, so we are sharing it with you.

"This past year has been one of the most difficult for my family... I am trying to get back on my feet post-divorce, having lived in domestic violence shelters and transitional housing. We had been homeless on [my son's] birthday and unable to celebrate when he turned five. After we settled into new transitional housing and pre-K, Birthday Dreams made a classroom party for him. He counted the days in eager anticipation...He was still adjusting to his new class and all the changes. It helped him feel accepted and validated in his new environment. He was so happy to give party bags to his classmates...It meant so much to me that Birthday Dreams made it possible for my son to have the first birthday party he's ever had... We appreciate your service and care for families like ours that are going through extremely challenging times. The love you share with our children changes their lives and outlook and gives us all hope."

With your continued support, we are committed to bringing hope and joy to the community we serve through the gift of a birthday celebration.

How You Can Help

Call for Gala Auction Items

Funds raised at our annual Gala of Dreams provide a large portion of our operating revenue, and a huge part of the Gala's success hinges on the auction. We need your help to gather the best silent and live auction items we can!

Do you have season tickets to the theatre or a sports team? A vacation property that you could donate a week/weekend? Gifts cards you are willing to contribute? Or do you enjoy putting together gift baskets? We can use all the help we can get! Your donation will be featured in the gala program and on the auction website for the general public to view.

Ideas and specific requests can be found on this Signup Genius: Friends of Birthday Dreams: Gala 2025 Basket/Experience Donation Ideas Sign Up

With your support, we can build self-esteem and promote hope in the community we support.

Are you thinking about becoming more involved at Birthday Dreams? We have options for you! Are you or someone you know interested in serving on a committee, helping with community events, or serving on our Board of Directors? We'd love to hear from you.

Birthday Dreams Committees:

Marketing & Development Committee: A fundraising and marketing-oriented committee, which meets virtually the last Wednesday of every other month. We are looking for individuals who have knowledge of best practices in marketing and fundraising. If interested, contact Jarod Drozdowski.

Gala of Dreams Steering Committee: Soley focused on all aspects of our annual Gala fundraiser. If interested, contact: Jarod Drozdowski.

Community Events:

Would your place of work like to get employees involved in giving back? Birthday Dreams would be thrilled to make that happen! Click HERE for program information. If interested, contact Leah Battin.

Board of Directors:

If you are interested in serving on our Board of Directors, please contact our Executive Director Chris Spahn for more information and an application.

Community Support and Recognition

Community Event Correction | F5

In our July Issue, an incorrect picture was posted next to the F5 article. We apologize for the error and are taking this opportunity to re-run the article with the correct picture.

We are grateful to Alison Hinojosa and Dar Kraft for introducing us to F5 in Seattle.. This was such a fun event where everyone had an opportunity to meet, catch up and give back to the community. F5 generously donated the supplies for the bags they put together and enough supplies for an additional 200 bags! Thank you to everyone who participated. We are grateful! We are grateful!

Brownie Troop 41223

We would like to thank Brownie Troop 41223 on Mercer Island for their support. They purchased supplies and spent an afternoon making Friendship Bracelet Kits. Birthday Dreams loves seeing kids helping kids. Our hearts were full receiving the kits the troop so thoughtfully assembled for children in need.

Hope Church, Des Moines, WA

We are so grateful to Esther O’Farrell at Hope Church in Des Moines for including Birthday Dreams in the church's June 2025 Love and Serve Sunday event. The congregation generously purchased supplies and gathered to make over 250 Goody

Bags! This isn’t the first time they’ve chosen us, and we pray it won't be the last. We are thankful for their kindness and support.

Solista Bellevue

Thank you so much to the staff and residents at Solista Bellevue. They spent an afternoon working on Birthday Dreams projects, and because of their

effort, we have lots of paper candles for the Pin the Candle on the Cupcake game and bows to tie off goody bags.

Jazira Evans

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Jazira Evans for donating 97 toys! She loves, and is an expert at, Arcade Claw Machines, where she wins mostly stuffed animals. Jazira donated all her recent winnings to Birthday Dreams. She wins ‘em and we gift ‘em…after she donates them. Thank you Jazira!

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 Neighborhood Grant Program | $2,000
The Windermere Foundation | $1,000
Whole Foods Community Grant | $250

In-Kind Donations

In-kind gifts, office and party supplies donations are always needed and appreciated. A big thank you to:

Sally Eastey | 94 gifts
Whole Foods Market | 77 in July, 73 in August (150 gifts this summer)
Emily Egashira | 340 gifts
Angelina Evans | 97 stuffed animals

Our thanks also to the individuals and organizations below for their donations. We appreciate you!

Adele Anderson
Interfaith Family Shelter
Kim Ehigh
Laurel Tomchick
Robbie Green
Shwetha Vasnaik

Birthday Club

Our thanks to the new and renewing individuals and businesses, listed below, who generously donated to Birthday Dreams in July.

A complete list of our 2024 and 2025 Birthday Club Members can be found on our Birthday Club page.

Andrea and Marcus Bates

Banner Bank

Becky Nickels

BECU

Camerer Real Estate

Chandra-Sinha Family Fund

Chris & Rachel Hadden

Derek & Karol Jamison

Donna Cronk

Elderrock Financial, LLC

Hansen Lee

Highland Dental Center

Jason & Stephanie Azarcon

Jeffrey Caffee

Lipman Family Farms

Marcus McFarland & Courtney O'Brien-McFarland

Mary Reeder

Matthew Carson and Ashley Seffernick

Melrose Grill

Randall Morris Foundation

Sakuntala Reed

Starbucks Foundation

T-Mobile USA Inc

Whole Foods

Windermere Foundation

If you are not a current Birthday Club member, please consider joining us. Click here to donate.

Kids Helping Kids | Stella Rawley

Recently, Stella Rawley became involved with Birthday Dreams through the Teens in Public Service (TIPS) program. Stella said, “One of the main reasons I applied for a TIPS internship is because I wanted to learn more about myself while making a real difference.” TIPS arranged for Stella to intern with Birthday Dreams, and after some research, Stella knew it was a great match. Stella said, “The mission wasn’t like anything I had seen before, but it immediately made sense. After working with Birthday Dreams for a few weeks, I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of Birthday Dreams before, because it seems like such a big part of the community.” Of her time with Birthday Dreams, Stella said, “I love looking over a kid’s party requests, seeing a gift they’ve requested, and then being able to wrap that exact gift for them. Especially when it’s something very specific.”

Birthday Dreams would like to thank Stella for bringing her joy and energy to Birthday Dreams, and TIPS for promoting the value of getting involved with local youth.

Volunteer Spotlight | Emily Egashira

Emily Egashira learned of Birthday Dreams a few years ago while attending a volunteer fair at the library. Emily said, “Of all the booths – this one [Birthday Dreams] touched my heart the most. As a new mother myself, the thought of helping less fortunate families and their children celebrate their birthdays hit close to home. I grew up in poverty and often heard "we can't afford that.” Now that I’m able to give back, supporting a cause like this felt like the perfect way to pay it forward.”

Emily donates toys, clothes, and party supplies, making use of one of her self-proclaimed "superpowers" (finding good deals). She said, “I've always been thrifty and frugal, and have been able to score new toys and clothes for up to 90% off. This helps me make a greater impact by being able to supply even more to Birthday Dreams without breaking the bank. I love being able to use the skills I have to make others happy, and honestly, it's fun! I get to shop for kids and find the cutest things. I get so excited to show off my treasures to the staff, and they're always so excited (and grateful) when I do.”

When asked what she would say to others interested in getting involved, Emily said, “The people behind Birthday Dreams have a wonderful heart and mission. They truly want to help others and deliver joy in everything they do. And what I love is there are many ways that someone can volunteer, so there's something for everyone.”

Born and raised in WA, Emily lives in Renton with her husband and 2-year-old son. Together, they love to travel and mark things off their seasonal bucket list. Emily is a Certified Money Coach and content creator – inspiring and educating others to help live a richer life (you can find her on TikTok and Instagram as @heyfrienditsem).

Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love

It was "game on" for a little boy turning six. Cake baker Chris Wells and his son Henry baked this fantastic Pokémon cake. Sally Eastey donated Squishmallows, Mini Fun Factory, Juno's Bubble Bath Pack, and other assorted gifts. Mae McMullin made the birthday delivery.

This beautiful Unicorn cake, made by Christine Sullivan, was a magical treat for a little girl turning five. The cake, and gifts: assorted Squishmallows, a Care Bear, coloring books and crayons, assorted crafts, and a backpack, were delivered by Mae McMullin.

This gorgeous butterfly cake made by Jen Falli, was delivered to a girl turning eleven. Mae McMullin delivered the cake and gifts, including Barbie Dolls, a face mask, bath bombs, assorted at-home "spa" goodies, Squishmallows, and games.

Dinosaur cake by Cherie Katana

Seahawks cake by Lauren Yasuda

Cookie Monster Cake by Cherie Katana

Princess cake by Kristina Tomalesky

Donut cake by Karen Criddle

Candy Cake by Carolyn Weger

Get Involved

Onsite Party Volunteers Needed

Shelter parties allow us to celebrate a number of children at one time. We bring food, games, goody bags, and gifts to the shelter, and facilitate a great party for the birthday children and their families. Sign up here to volunteer to help.

LIHI – Meadowbrook View | Saturday, September 13, 11am – 1pm
Mary’s Place Regrade | Sunday, September 14, 2:30pm – 4:30pm

Volunteer Orientation and Opportunities to Help

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.

We offer 30-minute virtual orientations for new volunteers and welcome new and interested volunteers to schedule a convenient time to tour our Renton office. Please email Heidi Singh, our Operations Director, to schedule a visit or to request a call to learn more about volunteering.

A list of upcoming parties and party needs can be found here.

Other Ways to Help | Office and Party Supply Needs

Our Amazon Wish List is updated weekly, allowing us to better serve Birthday Dreams' kids by making sure they have some great gifts from their personal wish lists. Click on this link or scan the QR code to see our current needs, which include toddler toys, scooters, art supplies and sports balls!

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.

Please include your name and email when using the Amazon wish list so we know who to thank.

VENMO or Text Your Donation

We accept donations through VENMO. The QR code will take you directly to our page.

You can also donate by texting “birthdaydreams” to 366283.

Donate Stocks

Did you know that you can donate stocks to Birthday Dreams? Lots of tax benefits to the donor. Click here to learn more