Students and faculty members of San Jacinto College are invited to help and support local children in need through volunteering with The Birthday Joy Program. The Birthday Joy Program is a nonprofit organization that helps nearly 5,000 local children’s birthdays each year.
The founder, Nonie Fairchild, says she aims to make sure every child that is facing hardship gets to celebrate their birthday with “joy and dignity”. “The Birthday Joy Program is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-run nonprofit organization based in League City, Texas” says Nonie Fairchild
The mission of this organization is to focus on children who are living in low-income households, foster care, group homes, and even homeless shelters. The idea and inspiration that brought upon this community organization blessing was when Fairchild’s daughter visited a local group home. After her visit, she came home and told her parents about her experience.
This conversation brought up the memory of when Nonie was a child, and her father had always made sure her birthday was memorable and special every year. This memory made her want to do the same for each child that is in need so that they too may also have that same experience.
“These are ‘birthday parties in a bag’ that are given to families experiencing financial hardship,” says Fairchild, “each bag contains everything needed for a celebration such as cake mix, frosting, candles, plates, napkins, cups, balloons, and a gift.”
The Birthday Joy Program also hosts monthly shelter parties for the youth living in group homes, shelters, and residential programs. The Birthday Joy Program provides party supplies and even personalized pillowcases, cake, and games for children who have birthdays that month.
“Volunteers host monthly birthday parties at shelters, group homes and residential centers,” says Fairchild. “Every child with a birthday that month gets to celebrate with games, cake, presents, and fun.”
Volunteers are an important part of making the magic happen and keeping the program active. Volunteers help put together the Birthday Fixins bag, plan and host parties, lead games, and deliver supplies. “Volunteers are truly the heart behind The Birthday Joy Program, and they make every celebration possible through hands-on service and community support,” says Fairchild
Each year The Birthday Joy Program the organization helps and celebrates thousands of children nationwide. “Each month is a bit different, but through all our programs combined, we celebrate almost 5,000 birthdays in a year,” says Fairchild.
Fairchild says that celebrating a child during their birthday gives them recognition and can make a big impact on children in hard times.
“Celebrating a birthday is especially important for children going through hard times because it reminds them that they matter,” says Fairchild, “sometimes what seems small to adults becomes a lifelong reminder to a child that even in hard times, they were loved and celebrated.”
To become a volunteer, visit The Birthday Joy Program’s webpage at www.thebirthdayjoyprogram.com and fill out an application. You can also help and show support by check out their Amazon wish list, host a donation drive, or ‘adopt’ one of their birthday children and purchase their birthday gift.
“What I would most like readers to understand about The Birthday Joy Program is that we are not just giving out cake and presents. We are restoring dignity, hope, and a sense of worth to children who may feel overlooked. When people donate, volunteer, or share our mission, they are helping create moments that children will remember long after the candles are blown out. Every Birthday Fixins’ Bag, shelter party, and Joy Bag is intentionally created to help a child feel seen, valued, and celebrated,” says Fairchild.
Volunteer today! https://thebirthdayjoyprogram.com/volunteers
Email us [email protected]
Volunteer Application: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/04973822-86cb-40c9-a224-0fb3b6540e11/downloads/TBJP%20Volunteer%20Application.pdf?ver=1770052767106
