Most people relish the one special day each year when they are the center of attention, celebrated by family and friends with cake, presents and cards. And with today’s social media, greetings, animated balloons and face-to-face messages now pour in from well-wishers near and far.
But for those who have little to celebrate, such as the abused, neglected and abandoned youth cared for by Hibiscus Children’s Center or the children living in homeless shelters whose families are just eking by, birthdays slip past without any fanfare.
Enter Angel Pietsch, who with sons Hunter and Seth founded Little Birthday Angels. The trio got the idea after stopping by the Hibiscus Children’s Village in Vero Beach one day to donate a used game.
“I don’t know why, but I asked what they did for birthdays; it was something I had never thought of before. The volunteer coordinator said that unfortunately, they didn’t have the means to provide gifts for the children,” recalled Pietsch.
Prior to the Little Birthday Angels lighting their first party candle, Hibiscus volunteers had occasionally brought cakes and staff would set aside extra donated Christmas gifts, but they were generic in nature and ran out long before the birthdays did.
“Birthdays are especially humiliating for the children here. They don’t have anything,” said volunteer coordinator Donna Clements, who was at the front desk when the Pietsch crew first visited almost three years ago. “They just have to take whatever comes in for donations. So for the Little Birthday Angels to get these kids what they want, that’s a big deal.”
Pietsch reached out to her homeschool association that first year using an email loop; each month sending out a list of the children’s wishes. Somehow they were able to obtain all the gifts they needed, plus wrapping paper, decorations and party supplies.
With the help of about 50 volunteers, the Angels bring all the essentials for a festive party. Pietsch’s mother is in charge of decorating and themes, including such past favorites as Minions, the Olympics, pirates, Dr. Seuss and ice cream.
“I have worked here for about 10 years and we have never had the happiness that the Little Birthday Angels spread. They average about 40 birthdays for us throughout the year and it makes a difference in the lives of these children,” Clements shared.
Staff was so moved by what Little Birthday Angels has done for the children in their care that Hibiscus named the nonprofit their 2016 Community Organization Volunteer of the Year.
Since that first year, the nonprofit has added others to their birthday party calendar – the Hope for Families Center, The Samaritan Center for Homeless Families and SafeSpace, which provides shelter to battered women and their children.
To date, the Little Birthday Angels have celebrated roughly 270 birthdays, many of them for children who had never previously received gifts or a birthday party or a cake with their name on it. Most had never even attended a party for someone else, so all the shelter’s children are invited to eat cake, play games and take home a goody bag, something most American children take for granted.
“The gifts may not be remembered down the road but the fact that someone tried to make their day special is a big deal for them,” shared Pietsch. “For us, it’s about making them feel honored and special.”
“I thought what they were doing was absolutely and totally phenomenal, so I contacted Angel and I had her come to one of our staff meetings to talk about the Birthday Angels and how they got started,” recalled Renee Bireley, program administrator at the Samaritan Center. “This is something we wouldn’t be able to provide for the children here. Sadly, many of our kids may have never had a special birthday party nor been able to attend one because of their family financial situation. It is such a gift that they provide.”
Pietsch said the community has been very supportive. Students at Indian River Academy and Imagine held dime challenges to fill water bottles with coins; the Oslo Middle School National Honor Society hosted a carnival and donated the proceeds; professional bakers donate cakes; and children make cupcakes with their mothers and bring them in for the parties.
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company provides every birthday child with a Bible devotional, others donate stuffed animals and children get an outfit donated by Kid’s Closet Charities, Lily Pad and Casp Baby.
“Ours is not a big budget,” explained Pietsch of the volunteer-based nonprofit, which uses donated space to store toys and supplies and operates on a $60,000 annual budget. “My biggest fear is that we won’t be able to bring the kids things they ask for.”
Pietsch said a grandmother of children living at SafeSpace thanked her for making her grandchild’s birthday extra special. The grandmother said that although the child is now only 3 years old and may not remember it in the years to come, she certainly will.
Another grandmother from Hope for Families shared how nice it was for her granddaughters to receive something for their birthdays. Newly living at the homeless shelter has been a traumatic event in their young lives, and she appreciated that Little Birthday Angels had not only made their lives brighter but had taken the time and effort to make the children feel special.
According to the 2016 Council on Homelessness Department of Children and Families Annual Report, the Indian River County School District reported 366 homeless students in 2014-15.
Pietsch hopes to eventually set up a program where teachers and principals can give a “party in a bag” to homeless children not living in a facility that they can take with them to wherever they reside, and give younger ones cupcakes so they can celebrate with their classmates.
In addition to donations for gift purchases, the Angels need volunteers and professional assistance from a graphic designer, accountant and lawyer.
For more information visit LittleBirthdayAngels.org.