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The idea of birthday presents is changing with many parents requesting “No Gifts” at their kids’ birthday parties. Of course, guests often don’t listen and bring one anyway…the guest feels awkward not to bring one and the host parent feels terrible that everyone brought gifts. A solution to this birthday party conundrum is instead of asking for “no gifts,” to provide an alternative to regular gifts. This way the guests get to bring something and the host knows where it is headed.
Birthday Buddies, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada is one of these options. Recently, I had the special opportunity to interview Jennifer Fast, the founder, and learn more about her inspiration, the organization, and how parents can get involved.
Explain the idea behind Birthday Buddies?
Birthday Buddies Inc. provides birthday Giftpacks to children living in Second Stage Housing for abused women. Second Stage facilities offer affordable long term housing for women who have left abusive relationships and are committed to moving towards violence-free lives. Second Stage programs offer comprehensive emotional and practical support for both the mothers and the children.
Each Giftpack aims to provide the following:
- A birthday cake with candles, balloons and a birthday card;
- A selection of toys;
- A book;
- A writing journal and pens (I believe that these children will have quite a story to tell and the effects of emotional healing from journaling are well documented); and
- A Personal Pack, containing age appropriate toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, hair accessories, deodorant, nail clippers etc.
As its founder, what inspired you to begin the organization?
I came up with the idea for Birthday Buddies when I was trying to find a meaningful volunteer opportunity to help disadvantaged children’. Unfortunately there were so many children needing so much help that I was forced to narrow down my search. First of all I had to think of a specific way in which I could actually make a difference, which ended up being helping with birthday celebrations. Next, I had to define a population that I could actually manage, which ended up being children living in Second Stage Housing. The idea seemed so simple that I was surprised to discover that the service didn’t already exist. I was committed immediately and felt compelled to make it happen. These children often leave their homes without any of their belongings so it is very rewarding to be able to provide them with gifts and personal items to help celebrate their birthdays and to make their stay in the facility more enjoyable. Whether it is a great book to curl up with or a friendly stuffed animal to keep them company everything in the Giftpack is really appreciated by the children and of course the Moms as well.
What are the options that are available for parents who would like to make a donation to Birthday Buddies ~ either as donations the party guests bring to the party rather than traditional presents or as a goody item for the kids, i.e. a donation made in the party guests’ names is the goody.
A popular method of fundraising for Birthday Buddies Inc. is to give birthday guests, young & old, the option of making a donation to Birthday Buddies Inc. in lieu of a gift for yourself or your child. I have pre-printed children’s party invitations that also explain the Birthday Buddies Program and this option has proven to be a very meaningful way for children to feel that they can make a real difference in another child’s life.
I also provide Gift Cards for people celebrating birthdays when I receive a donation in their honor from a friend or relative, and Acknowledgement Cards for donations made In Memoriam.
I am often asked what kind of donations I prefer:
Regarding donations from children, whatever is most meaningful for the child and for donations from adults, simply whatever is the easiest.
If a child would like to donate their favorite board game, a beautiful Barbie or a cute stuffed animal then I will always find a deserving child wanting exactly that. However, we are all scary-busy these days and I don’t want to be one more thing on a parent’s lengthy shopping list, so cash donations are always very welcome as well.
All gifts are new and of good quality and are chosen specifically for the interests and needs of the birthday child in order to make the celebration as special as possible.
We are currently operating in Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba and in Calgary, Alberta.
Your organization is based in Canada, can parents in other countries, like the US, participate? If so, is there anything special to note?
Any private or group donations are gratefully accepted from anyone, anywhere, though I am only able to issue ‘ Canadian Income Tax Receipts’ at this time. I operate Birthday Buddies Inc. from my home, on a volunteer basis, but dream that someday this little idea might be able to brighten the lives of all children living in Second Stage housing everywhere.
What are your thoughts on birthday presents today at kids’ parties?
Birthday gifts and the parties themselves can be pretty extravagant these days. I can honestly tell you from experience, however, that the children that I speak to are very much aware of their good fortune and are very excited to have Birthday Buddies as an option. They have so much fun putting together a Giftpack for a less fortunate child that it far outweighs the play value of many of the birthday gifts that they might have received. The kids have a blast coming up with their own ideas and love envisioning the child that will be receiving their special Giftpack. It is very empowering for children to know that they can actually make this kind of a difference in someone else’s life. Needless to say the concept is extremely well received by the parents who are grateful to be able to give their child such a meaningful life lesson.
What a fantastic option to the usual “No Gifts” request that often does not work. For more information please visit www.birthdaybuddies.org.
