INPERSON
Sydney Martin uses her birthday to help kids who have never celebrated a birthday of their own.
By Paul Glasser
A
local 12-year-old girl recently organized a birthday party for children who have never had their own celebration.
Sydney Martin hosted the fundraiser event at the Thomas Dance Studio in Bridgeville. Her mother, Kim, says Sydney was very eager to help less fortunate children have their own birthday experience.
“ She’ s a very kind-hearted young lady who is always thinking about others,” Kim says.
She told Sydney about Beverly’ s Birthdays, an organization that has helped more than 10,000 deserving children in the Pittsburgh area have a birthday celebration since 2011. Sydney decided to work with the group to host a party. First, she had to fill out an application to join the organization.
“ I was traveling for work, so I did no other pushing or prodding or reminding,” Kim says.“ She did it herself with no input from me.”
After Sydney successfully applied, Beverly’ s Birthdays provided leadership training that she used to plan and organize her own fundraising event. For the last several years, the Martin family has celebrated birthdays with a sleepover or other informal activity instead of a traditional party. Since she didn’ t need or want any more gifts, Sydney decided she would collect money and donations to help homeless or needy children have their own birthday experiences instead.
Her party at the studio included a selfie booth, a dance hall with lights and music, games, a raffle, food and drinks. Many local merchants donated refreshments or gift certificates. About 35 attended the event in December.
Sydney exceeded her fundraising goal of $ 500 and collected more than $ 800 in cash donations as well as toys, games and other
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