Help support the Birthday Party Program

Thursday, December 1, 2011

To the Editor:

Will you, your office or business help us bring some joy to homeless children? We are now in our third year of running birthday parties for children who are being served by Families in Transition. Based in Manchester, FIT provides housing and comprehensive support services to area homeless individuals and families with the goal of helping them become independent and self-sufficient.

Every other month we host a birthday party for about 20 children whose birthdays fall in that eight week period. Their siblings and mothers also attend, bringing the group to about 40-50 people. We provide pizza, cake and ice cream, entertainment, games, goodie bags and a special present for each birthday celebrant. Homeless families are often unable to give their children a birthday party or even a birthday gift, so these parties have become a special event for these families. We can attest to the joy and excitement we see on the children’s faces as they open gifts chosen specially for them.

Each party costs about $400. Bedford volunteers and donors have been very generous in supporting the birthday party program over the last two years, and we are now seeking new donors to keep this very meaningful program going. Here is how you can help. Ask your office or place of work to sponsor a party or contribute to one. If you are celebrating a birthday, ask for donations to this program instead of a gift. Donate in honor or memory of someone. Ask your bridge or book group to donate, or suggest that your child’s boy scout, girl scout or church youth group raise money for this project. What a good lesson this would be for children to give to those less fortunate.

We would like to thank McKelvie School students for making decorations and piñatas for each party, and we are grateful to all the individuals and businesses from Bedford who have contributed.

Please send your donations to: The Birthday Party Program, Families in Transition, 122 Market Street, Manchester, NH 03101, and mark your checks [made out to Families in Transition] specifically for the Birthday Party Program.

Thanks again for helping to put a smile on a homeless child’s face.

Mimi and Lewis Silverman

Peg and Gary Bremner

Bedford