Birthday in a Bag & Free Cakes for Kids

Once upon a time there was a child who lived in a group home (after multiple failured foster homes and continued abuse). He got a visit from a caseworker who had gone to do a routine monthly visit to check on the child. He became excited and asked her if she was there for his birthday. The sad truth is, no one had remembered his 11th birthday. He had no cake, no party blowers, no games, and no one to celebrate his birthday.

This isn't really a once upon a time type of story. It's real and it happened to a real child who is a dependent of this state within the last year.

As a result of this tragic story, a goal of our CASA Program this year is to ensure that every child we represent has a birthday. It's about the celebration and not about the gifts. A non-profit agency called "Friends of CASA" has stepped up to the plate to fund "Birthday in a Bag" and "Free Cakes for Kids". On their birthday, each child will receive: a customized birthday cake, and a Birthday in a Bag, containing:

• A Pin the Tail on the Donkey party game
• a birthday balloon
• birthday hats
• party blowers
• plates, cups, napkins
• a disposable camera for party photos
• a coupon for photo developing
• and a hand-made customized scrapbook page for party photos

I will be making the scrapbook pages for each of the kids this year! I am excited! It has been so much fun, and I have only made three thus far! Here are the pictures of the pages I've made. (Two of the pictures were taken in the plastic sleeve, so they glare, but it gets the point across.)

High School Musical Theme (like any normal 8 year old would LOVE!)

Topsy Turvy

A boy into old computers/games

If this could be my full-time job, it would pretty much be my dream job! I love scrabooking, but I love doing it for other people, especially kids who need to know they are cared about! I enjoy making cards for people for invites, I made our Christmas cards last year, but I never want to keep what I make. I enjoy the process, and the outcome, but there is something about making so homemade for someone else.

OH, P.S. The child metioned in the story in the beginning actually did get to have a birthday party.....they celebrated his half-birthday. :)