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News, Updates & Opportunities
March 2023
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Spring Fundraiser | Miles for Smiles |
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 or 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. We appreciate your support! Lead Sponsor: Chick-fil-A. Race Sponsors: Farmers Insurance and Greet Magazine. Run Sponsors: Cugini Florists and Whistle Stop Ale House Jog Sponsor: Melrose Grill Walk Sponsors: Mecham Bookkeeping and Root Sports.
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Voting is currently open and will close on April 4.
In addition to the Community Service category, there are many amazing individuals and businesses up for the Best of Renton Award in the following categories: Health and Fitness, Restaurants, Professional Services, Shopping. Several of the nominees are community partners of ours.
Please take a moment to cast your vote. Winners will be announced May 2023!
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We are regularly humbled by the feedback we receive from the parents of children who receive a Birthday Dreams party. The below statement is from the parent of a child who recently received a Birthday Dreams party. When asked about the party she said it was:
"The most beautiful day of my life and my son’s life. Thanks for your great efforts!”
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.
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We Need Your Help! Be a Party Coordinator |
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Do you like planning parties? Do you want to be more involved in Birthday Dreams? If you answered yes to both of those questions, we have the perfect role for you! We are looking for four new party coordinators to join us in helping children’s Birthday Dreams come true. Parties take place once per month. The time commitment is about two hours (including setup and teardown), at a mutually agreeable time between you and the shelter (we serve shelters in Seattle and Burien), plus the travel time for pick up and drop off all of the items to/from our office in Renton. We take care of all of the behind-the-scenes planning for you and you take care of the fun part, the party. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, please email [email protected].
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Community Support and Recognition |
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Birthday Dreams is pleased to announce a promotional partnership with Orca Running for our upcoming Miles for Smiles 5K. Orca Running is a Seattle-based running club whose mission is to provide exceptional running experiences for all abilities and paces; with operational policies that have a positive environmental impact and promote sustainability.
Our thanks and appreciation to the Orca Running team for highlighting our 5K through its network!
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Birthday Dreams’ partnership with KLOVE and AIR1 Radio continues this year as our organization will be highlighted with a Public Service Announcement for two weeks in May. The Birthday Dreams PSA is scheduled to play 5/1 – 5/14 - 8 times a day on each of the following radio signals:
Thank you K-LOVE and Air1 Radio for this amazing promotion!
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Each month Birthday Dreams receives grant awards from our terrific foundation partners. We would like to highlight the financial support from the following grant funders:
- John & Janet Garrison – Ayco Charitable Foundation - $1,000
- Altrusa International Foundation - Lake Washington East Club - $250
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the above grantors for their generosity and support of Birthday Dreams!
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Volunteer Spotlight | Elizabeth Blake |
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Elizabeth Blake has always enjoyed baking, so when she saw an ad for Birthday Dreams, it seemed like a perfect way to put her love of baking to work for the good of her community. She started volunteering for Birthday Dreams in January 2019, buying juice, gifts, and party supplies, and of course baking a cake from from time-to-time. She said, “Every child should have a birthday party to celebrate their special day and Birthday Dreams is such a great organization for doing just that.”
Elizabeth retired from her 20-year career as a paralegal when the pandemic hit. By July 2021 Elizabeth was one of our most active bakers, baking at least three cakes per month. In her busiest month, Elizabeth baked 15 cakes! In 2022 alone, Elizabeth made cakes/cupcakes for 112 birthday children! WOW!
Needless to say, we at Birthday Dreams think Elizabeth is pretty amazing!
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Elizabeth also donates her time to the Regional Animal Services of King County, where she has fostered and cared for ill and injured rescued animals since 2010. Between her work there and with Birthday Dreams she is straying very busy in her retirement years. |
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Awesome Cakes Delivered with Love |
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An eight-year-old Pokémon fan had a great birthday party, complete with an amazing cake by Tuyet Hoang. Our birthday boy also received Pokemon action figures, Squishmallow stuffed animals, arts and crafts, and books. Thank you, Jim Waugh, for making the special delivery.
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A lucky young lady received this beauty of a cake for her "sweet 16" spa-themed party. The cake baker, Felicia Mcdaneld, has been baking cakes for us since 2014. The cake and gifts, which included gift cards and bath and body products, were delivered by one of our newer volunteers, Michael Olson.
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This candy overload cake was made for a 12-year-old girl, who hopefully had a sweet tooth. The amazing creation was one of four that Carol Oshiro baked last month. Our birthday girl also received clothes, a puzzle, nail polish, and science kits. Our most active delivery driver, Jim Waugh, made the delivery.
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Unicorn Kitty cake by:
Rachel Gilmore
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Sloth cake by:
Jill Slabey
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Superhero cake by:
Karen Criddle
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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 one-hour in-person orientation by emailing our Volunteer Coordinator Dalia Silverstein, at [email protected].
- Saturday, March 11 at 11am
- Tuesday, March 14 at 6pm
- Saturday, April 22 at 11AM
- Tuesday, April 25 at 6PM
Contact our Community Events Coordinator, Leah Battin, at [email protected] for team building and service project opportunities.
Cake bakers of all experience levels are needed! Contact [email protected] for details.
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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, Xbox One)
- RC Cars
- Bath and Body kits
- Vacuum cleaner for our office
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
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Welcome New Board Members |
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Kristi Auld is a managing broker with Compass Real Estate. Her team, Auld Properties, specializes in residential property.
Kristi is passionate that the investment in a child’s development can help provide a foundation for a positive, successful future for a child and their community. She was drawn to Birthday Dreams as a way to serve her community to that end.
Kristi grew up in the greater Seattle area and resides in Bellevue with her husband and two children.
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Becki Culbert is co-owner of Swift Group, a global marketing and corporate events company in Seattle. An entrepreneur, and a single mother, Becki is familiar with wearing many hats and rolling up her sleeves to get the job done!
Becki was introduced to Birthday Dreams by Board member Priya Priyadarshini. She attended the gala in October 2022 and was inspired by the speakers, impressed with the commitment of the board members and moved by Birthday Dreams' mission. She knew immediately that she wanted to be involved with our organization.
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Click here to learn more about Kristi, Becki and the other members of Birthday Dreams' Board of Directors. |
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A big Birthday Dreams thank you to all of our new and renewing Birthday Club members this past month:
- Zachary Ahrens
- Andrew Almanza
- Altrusa Club of Lake Washington East Foundation
- AmazonSmile
- Ayco Charitable Foundation
- Scott Averette
- Dani Brazzle
- Laura Cameron
- King County Employee Giving Program
- Mecham Bookkeeping LLC
- Dennis Mori
- Nordstrom Employee Charitable Match Program
- Timothy Rupp
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Three60 Law Group PLLC
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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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