NONPROFIT OF THE MONTH
SHANNON BENNETT
Vice - President The Birthday Joy Program
THE BIRTHDAY JOY PROGRAM
Over the last 15 months despite all the challenges we have faced , The Birthday Joy Program , has worked tirelessly and often times very creatively to continue to ensure that every child in our community feels the encouragement and joy of being celebrated by people who care about them on their birthday . TBJP reaches the children in our community in several different ways , through Birthday Fixin Bags , Shelter Parties and School Joy Bags .
We know that when a family is struggling to put food on the table or cover day to day expenses , a child ’ s upcoming birthday becomes a source of stress and anxiety , not joy . The goal of our Birthday Fixin Bags is to help turn those feelings to that of hope and excitement and provide a sense of normalcy for children living in difficult circumstances . We distribute these bags through partner agencies , such as local food banks , social work agencies , and directly to families experiencing hardships .
During the pandemic our monthly Shelter Parties had to look a little different than they have in the past , but we were thankful to be able to continue to celebrate birthdays with our partner shelters Today ’ s Harbor for Children and Kidz Harbor . As we are starting to return to our new normal , we were excited to be able to celebrate May birthdays in person at our newest shelter Promise Rose . At each party our TBJP volunteers help to give these children who are living in crisis situations , a sense of normalcy , through the JOY of a birthday party . Each child who is celebrating their birthday that month receives a present picked especially for them , as well as a new personalized pillow . These pillows are often the source of the biggest reactions from the birthday children . Month after month the smiles on these kids ’ faces reminds TBJP donors and volunteers of the ripple of change bringing joy to these children can make in our community .
Our School Joy Bags , are provided to several Title I schools in Harris , Galveston , and Brazoria counties . Each student at our partner schools receives a Joy Bag on their birthday . These bags have a small toy , a book , and a coupon from our wonderful sponsor Whataburger . We are hopeful to grow our School Joy Bag program for the
2021-22 school year , as we know that so many families and children are recovering from the impacts of the pandemic , and the joy of being celebrated on their birthday is so important to our youth .
As TBJP continues to grow and works to # keeptheparty going there are several ways that individuals and businesses in our community can partner with us to broaden our impact . Our volunteers and supporters can help by :
• Donate the gift of time and sign up to volunteer at our office or at one of our shelter parties
• Donate Fixin Bags Items ( Cake Mix , Icing , Candles , Party Décor , etc .)
• Make a Monetary Contribution
• Sponsor a Monthly Shelter Party
• Sponsor one of our School Joy Bag Schools
• Check out our Amazon Wishlist and Follow Us on Social Media for our Current Needs
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