Kids Helping Kids

We are thankful there is a local nonprofit who works with teens specifically to place them in the community to do good work. Teens in Public Service (TIPS) pays teen leaders to serve as community service interns by pairing them with a nonprofit over the summer months. And we are so fortunate to have Annaiya Hawkins with us this summer.

Annaiya is a young woman who grew up in Renton and currently attends Albert Talley High School. She has served as ASB President, been on the cheer squad since 5^th grade, loves to dance and be outdoors, and most of all, loves helping others.

“When I first came to Birthday Dreams,” Annaiya says, “I didn’t know what to expect. Now that I’m here, I am honored and highly blessed to be working with them.”

Annaiya says that growing up as a middle-class child and facing whatever life throws at you makes you humble enough to love and appreciate all that you have. Even when she was young, she was always giving extra food or clothes to her friends and classmates who needed them. “I didn’t do this because I felt bad. I felt as if everyone should feel secure and have what they need.”

Birthday Dreams is so pleased with how Annaiya has fit right in with our staff and volunteers in bringing birthday parties to homeless children. And we couldn’t agree with her more when she says that Birthday Dreams is a family, working together to help kids who have lost everything.

In the end, there is something magical about kids helping other kids in need. And it bodes well for our future.

When Melissa Riddington mentioned Birthday Dreams to her nine-year-old daughter Ava Burrowes, Ava was eager to get involved. 

Melissa said, “My daughter and I have often talked about gratitude for the things we have and often take for granted. We also talk about (and act on) helping our neighbors. It is something we do, not because we feel we ‘should do’, but because we truly enjoy it. Ava had asked if she could volunteer at either an animal shelter or with children earlier in the year. I came across Birthday Dreams and was utterly inspired by what you do." 

When it came time to plan Ava’s 9th birthday, Melissa showed her daughter the website and asked if she wanted to give the gift of a birthday party to a little girl or boy, to which Ava said, "YES!"

Ava said, “I wanted to get involved because I like helping people, especially with Birthdays!” And help is exactly what she did. Instead of asking for gifts from friends and family, she asked them to consider a $5-$15 donation that could be used for a Birthday-In-A-Box for a child in need. Nearly $100 was raised, and Melissa contributed the balance needed for a complete box [$150].

Because of Ava's donation, a little girl turning 8 received a Unicorn-themed Birthday-in-a-Box. The box included a blue tooth speaker, pajamas, bath bombs, Dr. Squishy Maker, and more, along with a cake and party supplies. When asked how that made her feel she said, “It felt great because now someone who wouldn’t get a birthday party now gets a birthday party and that makes me feel happy.” 

To her friends and family who helped Ava said, “Thank you so, so much for helping a seven-year-old turning eight years old get a Unicorn Party.”

Melissa’s mom said, “I’m really proud of my daughter for having chosen this, over gifts for herself. I think it’s a good grounding for empathy, gratitude and kindness. Kindness is so necessary these days and bringing a birthday party to life for a young child, can make such a huge impact to their self-esteem, confidence and self-worth. A true gift. I would utterly encourage other parents to consider doing something similar." You can click here to view current Birthday Dreams party needs. 

Birthday Dreams thanks Ava, her family and friends, for their selflessness and generosity. Thanks also to Ava and Melissa for spreading the word about the Birthday Dreams mission. 

Meet our Social Media Marketing Team

Cece Cha

Cece is currently a junior at Liberty High School and Bellevue College. Her hobbies include playing the flute, hiking, rock climbing, and tumbling. She says her biggest accomplishment was making a plastic ball gown out of 1,000 plastic bags for her FCCLA Regional Competition. This gown was made to symbolize how much trash is dumped into the ocean every year. After high school, she wants to go into pre-med at University of Washington. She plans to major in Biology and minor in Marketing.

Cece says that "The smiles that appear on the kid's faces when they are being celebrated is why I love volunteering at Birthday Dreams. Birthdays are such an important aspect to celebrate and Birthday Dreams ensures that everyone feels special on their day. I'm very grateful that I've been given the opportunity to be a part of Birthday Dream's mission."

Jenny Bui

Jenny is currently a junior at Liberty High School. In her spare time, she likes to read books, play her favorite pieces on the piano, and work on any side projects she may have going on. After high school, she plans to do something in STEM and also pursue marketing more, hopefully at the University of Washington.

Jenny tells us that "Being a part of the marketing committee for Birthday Dreams and creating social media posts has been truly enjoyable! I wanted to volunteer with Birthday Dreams because I believed that giving children the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays is crucial."

Arisha Kavi

Arisha is currently a Junior in Running Start at Bellevue College. In the future, she would like to go into marketing. She chose to join Birthday Dreams because being on a marketing team, while supporting a good cause, is the perfect first step to her career.

Arisha says "I found Birthday Dreams online while doing a school assignment and found that Birthday Dream's mission really resonated with me. After joining this marketing committee, I saw how much work goes into advertising, and it encouraged me to do my best every week when making posts to go on Birthday Dream's social media."

For over five years, CJ (18), Annabelle (17), and their mother, Kristine, have shared their love of baking by creating unique and thoughtful cakes for Birthday Dreams recipients.

Regularly featured in the Amazing Cakes section of this newsletter, their unique creations range from emoji to space-themed and everything in between.

Annabelle and CJ shared that they do a lot of crafts as a family and love being able to create things for others to enjoy. Annabelle shared that her family really likes space and science, so their recent rocket themed cake was really fun to do together. For CJ, one of the most memorable cakes they created was for a 17-year-old who really liked the rap artist Tupac. CJ spent a lot of time researching to make sure that cake was perfect for that particular birthday. A huge thank you to the Kisky teens (and their mom) for all you do to support Birthday Dreams!

Meet the Kisky's

Meet the Dickson's

With the support of their parents, Kevin and Savanna Dickson, Annabelle (8) and Kade (6) rocked their toy drive this year! They collected and donated 37 toys worth $500!

When asked what made her want to collect to for homeless kids, Annabelle said “I get excited doing the toy drive because I know that every toy is going to help someone celebrate their birthday with opening presents that we helped collect and I like giving toys to kids who don’t have them."

Birthday Dreams is always touched to see the youth in our community giving back. Thank you, Annabelle and Kade, for making Birthday Dreams come true for deserving children in our community!