News, Updates & Opportunities

September 2024

The Gala is our largest fund-raising event of the year. With your support, we will be able to continue to serve the 1,500+ homeless children in our community. It's not too late to get involved:

• Volunteer at the Gala
• Make a Cash Donation to Support the Event

For more information, visit our website, send an email to gala@birthdaydreams.org or call 425-524-4705. 

A big thank you to the following organizations for their sponsorship.

Arena Sports Fundraiser Recap

In June, Arena Sports held a 3-day Point of Sale fundraiser benefiting Birthday Dreams at their Issaquah and Mill Creek locations; anyone who purchased the Birthday Dreams Fundraiser package directly supported our organization. and over $250 was raised!

A BIG thanks to the Arena Sports teams in Issaquah and Mill Creek for putting this fundraiser together for us!

Community Support and In-Kind Donations

• Party City | 446 items valued at over $2,000
• AMC Theater – Alderwood Mall | Thousands of dollars of toys for gifts and giveaways at community events
• Lyla Smith | 83 gifts worth over $1,000 + a cash donation
• Caren and Mady’s Neighborhood Drive | 80 gifts over $1,200 + cash donations
• Roger and Susan Atlas | Over 700 books
• Lolly and Company |131 gifts valued at over $1,200
• A Bahai | Gifts for 38 kids at onsite party!

Party gift donations:

• Joni Nakagawa
• Nicolle Scalise
• Janice Knight
• Maria Magbaleta
• Tracy Vicente
• Cathy Harger
• Sheryl Mattausch

Party gifts and supplies donations:

• Girl Scout Troop #46109
• April D’Antonio
• Cathy Footer
• Jennifer Carter
• Terah Rios

Jamie Kang's pastel tie-dye cake was both groovy and tasty. The 7-year-old recipient also received a Totally Princess makeup palette, earbuds, assorted Squishmallow activities, craft supplies and games. Thank you Gary Studt for making the special delivery.

A sweet 3-year-old girl celebrated her birthday with this amazing Cocomelon cake, made with love by Tracy Vicente. Mae McMullin delivered the cake and gifts including Encanto dolls, play pack, swimsuit, backpack and fleece PJs.

This sports cake by Candace Krull was a winner. The 13-year-old birthday boy also received Adidas Pure Game shower gel, a fragrance set, earbuds, a soccer ball and a gift card. Mae McMullin made the delivery.

Dinosaurs cake by Twyla Stephens.

Butterflies cake by Shiloh Cicero.

Butterfly cake by Karen Criddle.

Narwhal cake by Cherrie Smith.

Birthday Bear cake by Cherie Katana.

Glow cake by Jodi Mecham.

Click here to see our complete "Awesome Cakes" gallery.

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 Community Event Coordinator Leah Battin.

If you are a new volunteer, sign up to attend a brief in-person or virtual orientation by emailing Dalia Silverstein. In-person orientations are generally held on the second Saturday and third Tuesday of every month, and the virtual orientations are available upon request. 

• Saturday, September 14 @ 11am (in-person) 
• Tuesday, September 17 @ 6pm (in-person) 
• Tuesday, September 24 @ 6pm (virtual)
• Saturday, October 12 @ 11am (in-person)
• Tuesday, October 15 @ 6pm (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:

• Wednesday, September 25 from 6pm – 8pm at YWCA Passage Point in Maple Valley – 4 volunteers needed (all ages) 
• Sunday, September 29 from 1pm - 3pm at Mary's Place Burien - 12 volunteers (18+ in age)
• Sunday, October 27 from 1pm - 3pm at Mary's Place Burien - 9 volunteers (18+ in age)
• Wednesday, October 30 from 6pm - 8pm YMCA Passage Point in Maple Valley

We are currently looking for Party Coordinators for two locations. Please reach out to Dalia Silverstein at Dalia@bd.org for additional details or to volunteer.

• Mary's Place (Downtown Seattle)
• YWCA Passage Point (Maple Valley)

Office and Party Supply Needs

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

• Barbies – all ethnicities
• Dolls – all ethnicities
• Dinosaurs
• Hot Wheels – cars and tracks
• LEGOs
• Toddler toys
• Learning toys
• Musical toys
• Books

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 
• Cake boxes (all sizes)
• 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: