News, Updates & Opportunities

March 2024

When registering, you will have the option of logging in through Facebook or using email and a password of your choice. You can register as an individual, create, or join a team. So, grab your friends, form a team, and get ready to have some FUNdrasing fun!

To "captain" a team, select the "Create a Team" option and enter your team's name and fundraising goal. Your next step will be to invite family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers to join your team. In addition to the team goal, each individual on your team will have the opportunity to set an individual fundraising goal. Have some healthy fundraising competition within your team and work together to compete against other teams.

Funds raised from this event directly support Birthday Dreams’ mission to bring hope, joy, and a sense of self-worth by providing homeless children with the gift of a birthday celebration. 

A big thank you to this year's event sponsors:

Additional details, including ticket sales, will be coming soon. Bookmark www.randallmorrisfoundation.org to stay up to date on information as it becomes available.

The Radiothon will run from 7 AM. to 7 PM on Friday, April 26th. Tune in to hear fantastic music woven into informative interviews with the people working "behind the scenes" with Birthday Dreams. During the day-long broadcast, KIXI 880AM will have open phone lines so that you can call in and share your favorite childhood birthday memories. 

Mark your calendars to tune in and participate in this special radio experience! For additional details, visit: www.kixi.com.

Our thanks to the entire team at KIXI 880 AM, KKNW 1150 AM, and Hubbard Radio for the opportunity to get the word out and raise some funds for the homeless children we serve! 

Each month Birthday Dreams receives grant awards from our terrific foundation partners. Without their support, we could not do what we do. Last month, we received grants from the partners below. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity!

• PayPal Giving Fund $1,044 
• Rotary Club of Renton $1,000 

When asked what she loves about volunteering she said, “I saw Birthday Dreams mentioned in several communications and knew in my heart that it would be a perfect way for me to give back now that I have extra time. I am a recently retired elementary school teacher, and I really miss working with children. During my childhood, birthdays were always a special celebration, and I have passed that on to my children. I love that I can help in a small way to make birthdays memorable for families in need. I mainly deliver fabulous cakes, brightly wrapped gifts, and other goodies for the birthday child. When I get to meet some of the birthday kids, I love to watch their faces light up when they see their cake and gifts. The parents so appreciate these birthday boxes as well. I receive many heartfelt 'thank yous' from them. I will continue to deliver and work on-site parties as long as I can!   

True to her humble and kind nature she went on to say, "I want to give a special thanks to all of the wonderful people working behind the scenes in the office, baking cakes, wrapping gifts, donating, etc. I get to see firsthand how you are making a huge difference in the lives of these children and their families!”

Seeking opportunities to positively impact her community, her natural talent for party planning led her to Birthday Dreams. Hannah started her volunteer work with us baking cakes, before becoming a party coordinator at a Mary's Place Shelter. Seeing firsthand the joy Birthday Dreams brought the children inspired Hannah to get further involved by becoming a board member. 

When not working or volunteering, Hannah enjoys exploring Seattle's dining scene, playing pickleball, and spending quality time with loved ones. 

Christyna said she was intrigued by Birthday Dreams because she has seen firsthand how kids are affected by changes in their environment. She wanted to be a part of something where she could have a direct positive influence on youth in the community, she now calls home.

Christyna, who began her professional career as a loan officer, says she found her calling when she shifted gears and took a job as an executive assistant. Her experience adapting to frequent moves and creatively balancing the many tasks associated with homeownership while being a single mom is something she enjoys and does well, and that has given her skills that translate well into an executive assistant role. Welcome to the team Christyna.

A young man celebrating his 12^th birthday received this jaw-dropping Legends of Zelda cake made by Annabelle Kisky. The birthday boy also received a Legends of Zelda wallet, wireless headphones, and gift cards to GameStop and Chick-Fil-A, some of which were donated by Angela Pederzani. Everything was delivered by Jim Waugh.

A young man celebrating his 18^th birthday enjoyed this incredible Rick and Morty cake made by Suzanne Bratten. He also received Chick-Fil-A, Amazon, and Shein gift cards. This Birthday-In-A-Box was picked up from our office by the parent.

A four-year-old girl received this beautiful Mermaid cake by Page Monji. She also received gifts including a teddy bear, a Frozen bath set, a Peppa Pig book, an Encanto swimsuit, a Gabby’s Dollhouse plush, a Disney Princess game, hair accessories, a Jojo Siwa toothbrush, and arts & crafts sets. Everything was delivered by Gina Myrick.

Pizza Cake by Chris Wells

Mickey Mouse Cake by Glynda Steiner

Cocomelon Cake by Cathy Footer.

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. 

• Tuesday, March 19th at 6-7pm – In-Person
• Tuesday, April 20th at 11am-12pm – In-Person
• Saturday, March 23rd at 11am-12pm – Virtual
• Tuesday, April 2nd at 6-7pm – Virtual

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: 

• Tuesday, March 19 from 6pm-8pm at Mary’s Place Northshore in North Seattle – 5 volunteers (age 18+)
• Sunday, March 24 from 1pm – 3pm at Mary’s Place Burien in Burien – 10 volunteers (age 18+)
• Wednesday, March 27 from 6pm – 8pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 5 volunteers 
• Tuesday, April 2 from 6pm-8pm at Mary’s Place Northshore in North Seattle – 8 volunteers (age 18+)

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 Burien and YWCA Passage Point 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 for one-year olds and up 
• Hot Wheels items
• Pokémon items
• Toddler toys and action figures (Paw Patrol, Cocomelon, Fisher Price Little People)  
• Gift Cards to clothing and/or experiences as well as restaurants (Forever 21, AMC Theaters, McDonalds, etc) 
• Juice (Nothing that needs refrigeration)

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 (snack, gallon, and 2 gallon)
• Cake boxes (8x8, 10x10, 12x10, and tall 12x12)
• 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 preferably)
• Cricut vinyl (12x12 sheets, all colors/patterns)
• Wrapping paper (no holidays)
• 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: