Cheerful Givers is a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to helping children in need. We provide birthday gift bags through shelters and food shelves to disadvantaged, needy children. In 2009, 37,531 less fortunate children were able to experience the joy of receiving a birthday gift from their parents. The challenge facing Cheerful Givers for 2010 is to provide over 40,000 less fortunate children with birthday gifts. Since Cheerful Givers began in 1994, we have provided over 330,000 children with birthday gift bags.
Our Mission:
We provide toy-filled birthday gift bags to food shelves and shelters so that parents living in poverty can give their child a birthday gift. We believe this simple gesture boosts self-esteem, enhances self-worth, and strengthens bonds in families.
Our Vision:
All parents living in poverty will be able to give their child a birthday gift.
Founder's Story: It started with just 12 birthday bags
Robin Maynard Steele and her husband Kevin had lived their lives like most of us, not realizing the impact they could have in their community. The world’s problems seemed too big for the hands of too few. But they had started to believe that if they had the desire to meet the needs of the world, the way to meet those needs would present itself. Robin was touring a food shelf when the barren birthday shelf met her. The thought of a child’s birthday passing without recognition lit a fire in her heart and stirred her to action.
12 birthday bags filled with toys. Nothing earth shaking. 12 birthday bags created with love in the basement of a house by a couple who wanted to make a difference. 12 birthday bags dropped off at Trinity Mission on a Sunday night. 12 birthday bags igniting a spark that would provide warmth for thousands.
Early Monday morning the call came. It was from the Trinity Mission calling to share the heart-warming story of the 12 birthday bags. A woman had come to the food shelf looking for a boxed item to celebrate the birthday of one of her children. Her anticipation turned to anguish when she was told that there were no birthday cakes available. But her despair turned to joy when she was presented with a birthday bag that she could now give to her child. Overwhelmed with joy the woman exclaimed, “The whole way over on the bus I prayed and prayed that there would be something here for me to give my child, but I never dreamed that there would be something so beautiful!” Within hours, all the bags were gone. Prayers had been answered and Robin and Kevin had found a place to meet the needs of the world. So it began and continues to grow.
After three years of providing birthday bags to the community, Robin started to wonder if she was doing enough. Driven by the desire to meet the needs of her neighbor in need, Robin needed guidance. Now most of us would look to a friend or maybe take a class or seminar in this situation. Not Robin. Robin found herself called to travel to India with hopes of meeting Mother Teresa. She was given an audience with Mother Teresa hours before this pillar of goodness would suffer a heart attack.
Robin came home knowing that we are all hungry- hungry for love. We all want to know that we are special and that our life matters to someone. Cheerful Givers provides more than birthday bags, it celebrates those lives that matter. The lives of the parents who give the gifts. The lives of the volunteers who create the gifts. And the lives of the children who receive the gifts.
Click here to find out how you can get involved. You can donate cash, toys, supplies or you can host a birthday blitz! This is a great way to involve your whole family in giving! Cheerful Givers is inspiring people everywhere to follow their lead. This is something you can do no matter where you are located. Contact your local food pantry and ask if you can supply them with Birthday Bags!
Source: Cheerful Givers
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