Program Dec. 2014 -Sweet Celebrations! Birthday Parties for Kids
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Sweet Celebrations! Birthday Parties for Kids in Shelters
Beth Brockling, speaker for our annual December meeting, exemplifies how one person can change the world. She saw a need, figured out how to meet it, and then took action. Beth volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and when her little sister had to go to a homeless shelter on her birthday, Beth realized that for homeless children, birthdays are just another day-no party or gifts. Believing that all children should have a special day, in just a year she has provided 99 birthday parties in 11 homeless shelters. She has created a nonprofit organization, Sweet Celebrations, and a wonderful website: www.sweet-celebrations.org. Most important, she has built relationships that are making a difference in the lives of children, such as the little boy who was disruptive at the first party at his shelter but now volunteers as her party helper and is no longer misbehaving in school.
Beth, who is employed full-time, says she could not do the parties without the help of her family and volunteers, who help by devising games and party themes, making personalized birthday cakes, and wrapping presents. Individuals and organizations such as Baskin-Robbins have also made generous contributions. “The need is growing,” Beth says. She hopes to provide 300 parties in the next year and serve several more shelters. She will need more volunteer help with administration, which has become too much for her alone. Donations of toys and money for the parties, which cost $75 each, are always welcome.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, you may send a check made out to Sweet Celebrations to:
1611 Foggy Meadow
O’Fallon, MO 63366.
Women’s Voices is grateful to Sweetology, 9214 Clayton Road, for providing a fun space for the meeting and delicious cupcakes for attendees.