Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A Birthday Gift for a Homeless Child

Bear's Birthday

Join Bear as he celebrates his birthday in this latest addition to the bestselling Bear series. Help Bear count backwards from 10 to 0 and find out who is making his balloons disappear.
Ages 2 to 6 years
Written By: Stella Blackstone
Illustrated By: Debbie Harter


In the month of July for every Bear's Birthday book sold, Barefoot Books will donate a book to:
Birthday Wishes Bringing Birthday Parties to Homeless Children  

The Birthday Wishes Mission

"Our mission is simple: To bring birthday parties to homeless children. Birthday Wishes recognizes the importance of a birthday in a child's life and believes that the gift of a birthday celebration provides normalcy, joy and hope in these children's otherwise unsettled lives. 

Our grassroots philosophy fosters the spirit of volunteerism and community service in the adults, children and families who donate their time and resources to our mission." 


History
"Birthday Wishes was founded in November 2002 by Lisa Vasiloff, Karen Yahara, and Carol Zwanger – three friends and colleagues who wanted to help homeless children build self-esteem. Having volunteered in several homeless shelters, it occurred to the trio - as they attended one of their own children’s birthday parties - that at the shelters, children’s birthdays often came and went uncelebrated. Their subsequent research indicated that no organizations existed exclusively to provide birthday parties to children living in homeless shelters. After speaking with local shelters and state advocacy groups, they found that most homeless shelters do not have the personnel or resources necessary to hold birthday parties for the children who stay there. Furthermore, the parent (usually a mom) is often unable, both economically and emotionally, to organize a party for her child. Some parents, embarrassed that they don’t have money for cakes and presents, don’t even tell their children that they have a birthday. For homeless children, birthday parties are a luxury that neither the parent nor the shelter can afford.

Yet a birthday is an important event in the life of a child, and Birthday Wishes was founded on the belief that every child, regardless of their living situation, should have their birthday recognized and celebrated. Birthday Wishes has found that something as simple and ‘normal’ as a birthday party has the power to make these children feel both special, and, perhaps more important, like a “regular kid”. 


Send a Free Birthday E-card to Your Friends and Family!
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Don't forget to visit Birthday Wishes to see how you can help bring a birthday party to a homeless child in your community! Thank you!

17 comments:

  1. Stopping by to say 'Meow' ;-) Have a lucky day!
    ~Avalon

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  2. What a beautiful mission. I wish them more power and I do hope that they continue to help many homeless children.

    Spanish Pinay

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  3. I'm so glad that there is a program out there like this. I'm going to check it out. Thank you!

    I'm visiting from Voiceboks and am your newest follower here. I'd love it if you'd follow me too at Why We Love Green at htt://whywelovegreen.blogspot.com

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  4. This is real nice.

    Btw, do you mind to spare a signature for a pencil? A friend told me about this project. The organiser is going to donate a pencil to the poor children for each signature collected. Here is the information on that

    http://smallkucing.blogspot.com/2011/07/signature-for-pencil.html

    Thanks

    kathy
    http://www.smallkucing.com

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  5. Giving gift has always been a trouble for me and I often get confused for that. But now your idea has given me strength.

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  6. What a great program, great philosophy! All children deserve to feel special and celebrated on a day that is their very own. <3

    Visiting from vB!
    Smile and Mama With Me

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a lovely idea! We love the Bear books:)
    Thanks for sharing,
    Kristina

    (www.icing-and-crumbs.blogspot.com)

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  8. What an awesome project. Anything that helps these children realize that they are not forgotten is great!

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  9. Awesome project! I really admire you for this :)

    Christina

    Visit me at Spilled Milkshake

    Visiting from voiceBoks!

    ♥ xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amaaaazing idea! What a great project. Thanks for sharing with us!
    Dropping by from voiceBoks!
    ~Erin
    www.mynuggetsoftruth.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. hello, coming by via Voiceboks! Nice blog you have here and a good project too! I am going to visit the birthday wishes blog now!

    www.reanaclaire.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really love this idea! And found you on VB. Great blog. Following and definitely want to know more about Birthday Wishes.

    http://sahmcity.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love this idea and definitely want to know more about Birthday Wishes. New follower from VB :)

    Jackie

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  14. Thank You for following my blog. Returning the follow..:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wishing such child on this occasion..to realize them they are nor alone.

    gift pakistan

    ReplyDelete
  16. Why don't you try this beautify teddy bear design onplastic cards gifts graphic designer

    ReplyDelete
  17. Start giving Scratch Card
    as well.It will make your work more profitable

    ReplyDelete

Not what we give,
But what we share,
For the gift
without the giver
Is bare.
~James Russell Lowell

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