Add Service to Your Birthday Celebration
Give the Gift of Good
Birthdays are a time to celebrate with friends and family—and they’re the perfect time to serve your community. Make extra treats, ask others to volunteer or make your party service-themed. Whatever you do, celebrate with service—and make it a special day for someone in need.
Throw a party for children in need
Birthdays are extra special for children, but not everyone gets to celebrate with parties and presents. Some families lack the resources to host a celebration, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t have a community party.
Bring joy to a child in need and help throw them a birthday party they’ll never forget. Volunteer, donate supplies or contribute financially through your local community centers or with programs like Volunteers of America’s “Brightening Birthdays.”
You’ll make the day of the birthday child and the families that join in the celebration—and you may even start a trend in your community.
Request donations instead of gifts
Have everything you need? Is your closet packed with extra clothes, or is your child’s playroom already full of toys? In lieu of gifts for your next birthday, consider collecting toys, food or clothes, or choose a charity that resonates with you. Then request that your friends and family donate to that good cause in you or your child’s name. You’ll help those in need and find more appreciation for what you have.
You could also ask your friends and family to donate to the charity of their choice. Get the conversation going about what social justice issues matter most to your friends and why. Then gather your friends for a theme party focused on a reputable group that addresses those matters. It’s a great way to do good while bonding.
Organize a birthday volunteer project
For your birthday this year, why not ask others to join you for some volunteering time? Choose a fun outdoor community project and recruit your friends to get their hands dirty. Turn a craft project into a service project . Or get a crew together to volunteer at a shelter or food pantry near you. Make sure you get up to speed on all of the project organizer do’s and don’ts first.
Consider doing the same for your child’s or a local child’s birthday. Ask what issues they care about and organize the birthday party around a project that serves that need or group. Use it as a way to connect and model giving back to the community.
Not only will you and your community members make a difference, but you’ll help the children see that doing good is fun!
Give the gift of cake!
What would a birthday be without birthday cake? Unfortunately, lots of people know firsthand. With Birthday Cakes 4 Free, you can donate or help bake a cake for financially and socially disadvantaged kids and seniors. No chapter near you? Start one! Or make an extra batch or two for a local shelter while you’re baking a cake or cupcakes for a friend’s birthday party.
