Our thanks to Renton Regional Community Foundation and The Next Curve for awarding Birthday Dreams with a generous $750 grant.

One of the goals of The Next Curve is to increase flow of charitable dollars to areas of need in Renton.

Community support is essential to our organization's ability to continue to service the community—and we greatly appreciate the support.

For some time now, Marlesa Germain and her daughters have used their shopping trips as an opportunity to spend time together, and give back to the community, too. They purchase items from popular shops like Justice to donate to Birthday Dreams.

Last week, Marlesa and her daughters brought in a amazing collection of clothes and gifts that they had compiled.

In-kind donations are always in high demand and tremendously appreciated.

Our thanks to Marlesa and her daughters for their continued support.

In early 2018, a permanently disabled single mother lost her housing and became homeless. This mother has a servant's heart, providing for 13 children, three of whom were "hard to place" children that she adopted. With wait lists for permanent housing 2+ years long, she and her children have been couch surfing and staying in low-end motels. Basic needs like food and shelter a top priority, the holidays were looking bleak—let alone any hope for any type of celebration for one of her sons who had a December birthday.

Aware of the need, the child's school offered to reach out to Birthday Dreams. Circumstances were such that the mother was unable to hold the party at her transitional housing, so plan B was set into action. The Birthday-in-a-Box was delivered to the school. The celebration took place over the lunch period prior to the winter break, making the young man's birthday and holiday season a little brighter. This is the feedback we received from the mother, "It was the difference between despair and hopelessness to faith in people and sunshine in a sea of darkness. We are forever grateful."

In describing the impact of the birthday on her son, she said, "It took a kid totally depressed about his situation to kid with a big smile, who feel accepted by his peers and hopeful for the future."