News, Updates & Opportunities

June 2024

Top Individual Fundraiser: Doug Muldowney

Doug raised over $700 this year. Doug wins a Mariners swag bag, a Luis Castillo autographed ball and four tickets to see our Seattle Mariners take on the Houston Astros on Sunday, July 21.

Top Fundraising Team: Team Genie

Team Genie holds on to this award for the second year in a row, raising over $8,600! Wow! They even went international with team members participating in Mexico, India, and Australia! Team Genie will receive Chick-fil-A gift cards as a thank you award.

Photo Scavenger Hunt: The individual who found the most items on this year’s hunt is Nicolle Scalise! Congratulations Nicole, you won a $100 gift card to The Whistle Stop Ale House. 

Huge shout out to Ning Jiang who put in a whopping 263 miles this year!

Again, our thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated and supported this year's 5K, including our amazing event sponsors. We hope to see you next Spring for the 5th Annual 5K.

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. 

• Sign up to Volunteer at the Gala
• Make a Cash Donation to Support the Event
• Become a Gala Sponsor
• Sign up to Donate a Themed Basket or Experience

A big thank to the following organizations for their sponsorship.

Birthday Dreams scored another touchdown with the help of KING5 TV’s Leah Pezzetti and local philanthropist and former Seattle Seahawk, Randall Morris!  

Tune into King5 TV for the evening news on Friday, June 7, when Birthday Dreams will be featured as part of a segment where Randall helped make a birthday-dreamer’s 17th birthday wish come true. Randall has been a long-time supporter for Birthday Dreams, and we are honored and grateful for his support and evangelism for our cause.  

Our thanks and appreciation also to King5 TV and Leah sharing the story with your viewers.

Our thanks to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Charitable Trust and T-Mobile Foundation.

When it came time to plan Ava’s 9^th birthday, Melissa showed her daughter the website and asked if she wanted to give the gift of a birthday party to a little girl or boy, to which Ava said, "YES!"

Ava said, “I wanted to get involved because I like helping people, especially with Birthdays!” And help is exactly what she did. Instead of asking for gifts from friends and family, she asked them to consider a $5-$15 donation that could be used for a Birthday-In-A-Box for a child in need. Nearly $100 was raised, and Melissa contributed the balance needed for a complete box [$150].

Because of Ava's donation, a little girl turning 8 received a Unicorn-themed Birthday-in-a-Box. The box included a blue tooth speaker, pajamas, bath bombs, Dr. Squishy Maker, and more, along with a cake and party supplies. When asked how that made her feel she said, “It felt great because now someone who wouldn’t get a birthday party now gets a birthday party and that makes me feel happy.”

To her friends and family who helped Ava said, “Thank you so, so much for helping a seven-year-old turning eight years old get a Unicorn Party.”

Melissa’s mom said, “I’m really proud of my daughter for having chosen this, over gifts for herself. I think it’s a good grounding for empathy, gratitude and kindness. Kindness is so necessary these days and bringing a birthday party to life for a young child, can make such a huge impact to their self-esteem, confidence and self-worth. A true gift. I would utterly encourage other parents to consider doing something similar." You can click here to view current Birthday Dreams party needs.

Birthday Dreams thanks Ava, her family and friends, for their selflessness and generosity. Thanks also to Ava and Melissa for spreading the word about the Birthday Dreams mission.

Chun understands the power of partnership and how building synergies with national and global stakeholders is imperative. Following Microsoft Leap’s certification as a National Apprenticeship by the U.S. Dept. of Labor in 2021, Chun was twice invited to the White House to advocate and speak on upskilling and reskilling unconventional talent and expanding and diversifying the Workforce of the future. In 2023, Chun was featured as the representative from Asians at Microsoft ERG in the Women’s History Month.  

Lu earned her master’s degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Regina, Canada, and holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from China.  

In her spare time, Chun enjoys sharing outdoor adventures with her family and volunteering for worthy causes that inspire and give back to the community. Building opportunities through innovation, collaboration, and inclusion have not only been the cornerstone of Chun's work, but it has served as a foundation for Lu as a mother, daughter, and wife. Chun deeply connects to a mission that encourages dreaming and inspires hope in future generations, regardless of the circumstances – and wholeheartedly supports working collectively to make a common vision come to life.  

Cake Baker Candace Krull made this magical Unicorn cake for a sweet girl turning eight. Ava Burrow donated gifts including unicorn and galaxy slime, a kids watch, bath products and a Squishmallow. Eva Szorenyi made the birthday delivery.

What a sweet treat for a little girl turning two; butterfly cupcakes from cake baker Eileen Wang. Driver Patricia Gloster delivered the cake and gifts (Busy Board Montessori Toys, a baby doll, Little Live Busy Bubs Swirlee and more) from Friends of Birthday Dreams.

This galaxy cake made by Cindy Burdick was out of this world! Friends of Birthday Deams provided art supplies, board games, a journal and more for the birthday girl, who was turning eight. Mae McMullin made the delivery.

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 Volunteer and Community Event Coordinator Tabitha Amoroso.

If you are a new volunteer, sign up to attend a brief in-person or virtual orientation by emailing Tabitha as well. In-person orientations are generally held on the 2nd Saturday and 3rd Tuesday of every month, and the virtual orientations are generally held on the 1st Tuesday and 4th Saturday of every month. 

• Saturday, June 13 from 11am - 12pm (in-person) 
• Tuesday, June 16 from 6 - 7pm (in-person) 
• Saturday, July 13 from 11am 12pm (in-person) 
• Tuesday, July 16 from 6 - 7pm (in-person) 

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. 

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: 

• Sunday, July 28 from 1pm – 3pm at Mary’s Place Burien in Burien – 12 volunteers needed (age 18+) 
• Wednesday, June 26 from 6pm – 8pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 6 volunteers needed 
• Sunday, June 26 from 1pm – 3pm at Mary’s Place Burien in Burien – 9 volunteers needed (age 18+) 
• Wednesday, July 31 from 6pm – 8pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 7 volunteers needed 

Please contact Tabitha Amoroso 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 Shelter 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 through scheduling conflicts with shelter staff.

Office and Party Supply Needs

We rely on our donors and volunteers to make birthday dreams come true. This month we need the following items for our birthday children: 

• Interactive learning toys one-year-old and up 
• Hot wheels items
• Health and beauty items for teens (make up, spa kits, cologne, perfume, hair products etc)
• Toddler toys and action figures (paw patrol, Cocomelon, Fisher Price little people)  
• Gift cards to clothing, experiences and food places 
• Juice boxes and birthday banners

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 
• Expo pens (all colors)
• Zip lock bags (all sizes)
• Cake boxes (all sizes)
• Card stock paper (all colors besides black and dark blue)
• Permanent markers (sharpies large for bags) 
• White envelopes 4.5in/9.5in (peel and seal)
• Wrapping paper (no holiday paper)
• Gift wrapping bows (all sizes and colors)

A big Birthday Dreams thank you to all of our new and renewing Birthday Club members this past month: