(ROCKWALL, TX – June 4, 2015) Rockwall mom Kristi Bryant knows all too well the importance of being able to celebrate a child’s birthday. But perhaps more importantly, she also recognizes that some of those parents within the community who struggle financially may not be able to afford a birthday gift or throw a birthday party for their child.
That’s why Kristi, along with her daughters Bek (7) and Pearl (3), created Rockwall Birthday Buddies – a volunteer program formed with a dream for every family regardless of their financial situation to have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate their child’s birthday.
According to Kristi, the idea for Birthday Buddies came about from the Angel Tree charity program which gets new toys and clothing into the hands of needy children during the holiday season.
“Those families need help throughout the year, not just in December,” Kristi said. “So we began thinking about how we could provide financial relief for them throughout the year, and another big financial event for most of these families is their child’s birthday.”
Currently working with one grade level in a Rockwall elementary school, the program builds its Birthday Bundles specifically with the birthday boy or girl in mind through a detailed Party Request Form, which parents fill out with their child’s teacher. The bundles include all kinds of goodies including a new unwrapped birthday gift ($20 in value), desperately needed items such as socks, underwear, new shoes, etc., cupcakes, party-themed plates / napkins / decorations / balloons, as well as goody bags and juice boxes (for up to 12 kids).
Kristi said her kids really enjoy getting to help put together the party supplies and bundles, knowing that they can make a huge impact on the lives of children in need.
“It’s been really fun for us as a family to get together and help somebody else,” she said.
The program not only caters to school children but also to their younger siblings who aren’t yet enrolled in school, so that every child can have a chance to enjoy a party on his/her birthday.
And the best part about Birthday Buddies? They provide everything parents need to put on a great birthday party for their child themselves. Birthday Buddies drops off all of the supplies at Lake Pointe Church and the parents pick them up!
“I love that the parents get to pick it up and bring it home,” Kristi said. “From the kids’ eyes, it’s as if the parents are throwing the party, and I think that’s important.”
Several organizations and charities from around the community — such as Art’s A Blast! – have already begun to show their support for Rockwall Birthday Buddies by sponsoring the up-and-coming program and providing gift cards for its Birthday Bundles. Folks can get involved and help make a child’s special day even more special in several ways through Birthday Buddies:
“Sponsor a Birthday” Become a Birthday Buddy:
Go to the Rockwall Birthday Buddies website, rockwallbirthdaybuddies.org, fill out the form under “Contact Us” and get matched with a child in need of a birthday celebration.
Make a donation:
Visit rockwallbirthdaybuddies.org for an easy and secure way to donate to this great cause!
Have your business or social group sponsor Birthday Buddies:
Different groups from all over Rockwall have already jumped on board by collecting gift cards and funds for Birthday Buddies, and any help is BIG help!
Make your birthday a donation party:
Birthday Buddies had seen a growing number of young people choosing to support local charities as the “theme” of their birthday parties. Birthday Buddies can provide an insert in your invitation that asks all invited guests to bring an item for Birthday Buddies to your party (this can be done in lieu of or in addition to gifts for the birthday child – the choice is yours!)
The program currently works with one grade level in one Rockwall Elementary School school, but Kristi hopes the program will continue to grow so that it can reach more children in need throughout the community.
“It just feels awesome to help the community in this way, and to see my girls helping out other kids,” she said. “I hope the program catches on and that there are more people who want to help these kids.”
Click here to visit Birthday Buddies on Facebook.
By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News reporter.
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