We will be celebrating reaching our milestone of Half a Million Kids Receiving Birthday Bags since our organization began.  We plan to have special guests  fill the 500,000^th  birthday bag at the event, and the Governor is proclaiming it “Cheerful Givers Day” throughout Minnesota.

We will have a number of interactive elements this year that allows visitors to experience the Birthday Party in a way that resonates with each of them. The design will invite the passer-by to stop and engage while floor visuals grow throughout the event.  Included will be a Join the Party opportunity, scavenger hunt, Knowledge Quest informational kiosks, Build a Birthday Bag Lego Station and many prize drawings.

It’s a free event with donations encouraged.  All are welcome!

To celebrate his birthday on January 16th, you might take some time to help change America in a small way by assembling a variety of small new toys into gift bags at your own location. Then donate them to a local food shelf or shelter. Let us know how many bags you filled and where they were donated.  Photos are also welcome.

Though Cheerful Givers, my daughters have been exposed to the experience of giving to others in need. Seeing them finally “get it” during a family bag blitz is one of my fondest memories. They’ve learned that small actions can make a big difference and eagerly look forward to the next volunteer event.

I’m incredibly thankful to be part of Cheerful Givers.

Many thanks to everyone who continues to support our mission — and may you have a very Happy New Year!

Two year-olds through kindergarten age children who participate in the Sunday School program at Maple Grove Evangelical Free Church earned their own money by doing chores, sacrificing a trip to McDonalds and saving their allowance to purchase birthday gifts which filled 62 birthday bags.  One young girl even used her own birthday money.  Bre Pilon, who organized the event, said “The response is amazing even at such a young age.  Thank you for giving us this opportunity to teach our children to think beyond themselves…”

“The next time your family comes together for a day at the lake or a barbecue in the backyard, why not take an hour to discuss your estate and how your family can make an impact on the things that are most meaningful to all of you?”

To help you start the discussion, they provide some topics and questions to post to your “kitchen table philanthropists.”    Read full article.

We are most grateful for a wonderful donation of these amazing toys!

The Steele family recently enjoyed filling birthday bags and Sonja Steele had this to say about their experience – “My family had a good time shopping for children’s gift items and putting the birthday bags together.  I have sent information to all my friends and posted our Birthday Bag event on Facebook in order to help you serve more children in need.  We enjoyed participating in your program and would like to do it again in the future.”    Thank you Steele family!

We’re looking for more groups (corporate, civic, school or church) as well as families to join our “Dedicated Volunteers” who want to fill birthday bags on a monthly or quarterly basis. Contact karen@cheerfulgivers.org for more information.

Thanks to Jenny Friedman, Executive Director of Doing Good Together for promoting our need for crayons to go along with a large donation of coloring books we received. She simply said:

“Looking for something simple that your family, co-workers, school, scout, civic or church group can do to help kids? How about collecting new boxes of crayons and sending them to Cheerful Givers?  Any age can help shop and donate. Very little time commitment needed.”

Kristen Marsan used the opportunity to teach her kids about helping others and she commented: “The poor Wal-Mart clerk had to maneuver huge piles of quarters and dimes.  I’m praying that even those little boxes of crayons (and all the rest that you do) are used to encourage other people, both big and small!”

Note: We still need lots of crayons!