What's new at Birthday Dreams? Read our March 2019 Newsletter

March 2019

Bringing joy, hope and dignity to homeless children with the gift of a birthday party.

Birthday Dreams' Snowmaggedon Story

No doubt each of us has a snowmaggeden story we won't soon forget. For Birthday Dreams' Program Director Andrea Bates, her snowmaggeden story was no laughing matter. The snow came in fast and furious leaving Birthday Dreams volunteers unable to leave their homes, let alone access the snowed in Birthday Dreams office and various shelters where parties were scheduled to take place. For that reason, for days following the snowfall, Andrea was forced to place calls to reschedule birthday parties. Andrea says, "Although we were rescheduling, not canceling, those calls were heartbreaking to make and not something I ever want to do again." By day three Andrea was determined to dig herself out of her house, access the Birthday Dreams facility, and get the parties back on track, which she did!

March will be busy, as Birthday Dreams manages rescheduled February birthdays in addition to the March parties. If you or someone you know is able to help bake a cake, deliver a party, or wrap gifts, we'd love the help.

WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE AND URGENT NEED FOR DRIVERS TO DELIVER BIRTHDAY PARTIES.

The current Birthday schedule can be found here. Email Andrea at [email protected] if you are able to help.

As always your in-kind and monetary donations are appreciated.

C ake Competition and Auction

Cake Bakers Wanted

Birthday cakes are a highlight of our Birthday Dreams parties. To celebrate our cake bakers, we will showcase cake baking at our 10th Birthday Party with a cake competition! The cakes will be auctioned at the event; the lucky winners will go home with an amazing cake to share with friends and family.

Whether you are youth, amateur or professional baker, we encourage you to enter your masterpiece into our cake baking competition. Limited spots available.

Celebrity Judges

We are honored to have fabulous judges joining us for this special event!

Kevin Moulder, owner of Cubes Baking Company, and Food Network Winner Cake All competition champion.

Jasmin Bell Smith, owner of Bells Pastries, and winner of Food Network baking competition Halloween Baking Championship and the first-ever "sweet" version of Chopped.

10th Birthday Party Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors are an important part of the success of our 10th Birthday Celebration.

If you are aware of a business or individual that would like to support Birthday Dreams at any of the following levels, please contact us at 425.988.3954 or [email protected].

$5000 Presenting Sponsor

$1000 Candle Sponsor

$250 Prize Sponsor

$100 Friend Sponsor

While tickets will be available leading up to and on the day of the event, your early registration will help us with planning. Spread the word about this fun family-friendly event that goes to support a GREAT cause.

Get Your Event Tickets

Sponsorship Information

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Candle Sponsors

Prize Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsors

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Volunteer Dahiana Calicoat

Dahiana's personal experience with homelessness fuels her passion to give back

Dahiana is no stranger to homeless. As a child, she was homeless for a short time after her mother left her violent husband. During that time, she recalls relying on others for basic needs. With the help of a friend they were able get back on their feet, but the experience left a lasting impression.

Dahiana became involved with Birthday Dreams in April 2015. She says that Birthday Dreams provides a way for her to give back in a way reflective of the support she and her family received.

For the past 3.5 years, Dahiana has volunteered one Saturday a month facilitating parties at Mary's place. In interviewing her for this article she shared a few of her favorite stories:

A few months into volunteering she met a family with three kids. The little guy was having his 5th birthday and was so excited that he wouldn't let go of her hand. He was jumping around with a huge smile on his face. His was excitement pure joy and it was contagious.

On another occasion, she was delivering an art set (as wished for) to a little girl for her 4th birthday. When the little girls received the giant art set with chalk, crayons, paints, colored pencils, markers, and paper (too big for her to carry by herself) she asked, "Is this all for me?" It was! The excitement of the kids every month, at every party, fuels her desire to give back.

Dahiana says, " I have a choice of where I volunteer, but homelessness isn’t an option… It’s more complicated than that. Volunteering is a way that I can help make being homeless a little easier."

We are tremendously thankful Dahiana, for her time and her story.

Upcoming Volunteer Orientations:

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 6:00 PM

Saturday, March 16, 2019 11:00 AM

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 6:00 PM

Saturday, April 13, 2019 11:00 AM

If you want to help with plan our 10th birthday party, our next committee meeting is

Wednesday, March 13, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Development and Marketing meeting will be meeting

Wednesday, March 27, 6:30pm to 8:30 pm

Our meetings are held at our Birthday Dreams offices, 1084 Kirkland Ave NE Renton, WA

Share your passion and talents. Click here for ways to get involved.

Join Us at the NACE Gala on April 18

For the 3rd year in a row the Seattle chapter of National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) has selected Birthday Dreams as the recipient of all donations gifted during Raise the Paddle at its Annual Gala, which will take place on Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 PM.

This years theme is Rock the Block. Event and registration information can be found here.

2018 Tax Information: Over the past year we have been sending receipts as donations are received. As such, we will not be mailing out year end summaries. If you are missing a receipt, please contact [email protected].