In August 2005, my wife Amy and I created a program called Birthday Blessings to help homeless and displaced children celebrate their birthdays. Birthday Blessings helps recognize and celebrate the lives of these children, bringing much-needed cheer to kids who are in the midst of the most unstable times in their lives. Every month, we go to the Salvation Army Center of Hope and provide a birthday party for the kids who are living there. As many as 40 kids gather together to celebrate with the children who have birthdays in that month. The room is decorated, special programs and activities are planned; there are birthday presents, cake, juice, and party favors for everyone. This year, we will begin expanding the program to reach additional children living at Charlotte Emergency Housing.
We have three main goals for the Birthday Blessings program:
1. To lift spirits and promote a sense of self-worth
2. To provide educational and enrichment experiences
3. To help supplement basic needs
As I accepted the PPC Kingdom Assignment, I knew right away that I wanted to use the money for the homeless kids that Birthday Blessings supports. I asked several people at work to match the Kingdom money I had received, and together we were able to raise enough money to help supplement some basic needs for the kids. With the cold winter weather setting in, they need extra underclothes and socks. The children will receive these items at our January Birthday Blessings party.
Amy and I thank God for the many blessings in our life, and we feel particularly blessed to be able to help support others who have much less. "Let us not love with words and tongue, but with actions and in truth." ~ 1 John 3:17
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