Since 1994, Cheerful Givers has provided over 300,000 disadvantaged, needy children living in poverty with toy-filled birthday gift bags through shelters and food shelves.
Karen Kitchel got involved with Cheerful Givers in 1996. “I met Robin Steele, the Founder, while looking for a speaker for a volunteer recognition event,” she said. “When I heard about all the kids who go without a birthday gift, I was immediately drawn to the organization. I was asked to join the Board of Directors that year and began working to get more groups involved. Six years ago I took on the position of President, which is our one and only full-time staff position. Providing toy-filled birthday gift bags to children in need has a direct impact on the self-esteem and self-worth of these kids. I like that the parents give the gifts and that the organization remains anonymous to the child. Just as meaningful is the opportunity the organization provides to volunteers, especially groups of teens with disabilities and the elderly, who are able to feel like they are giving back to the community by assembling birthday bags. I think Cheerful Givers provides two very important gifts – it teaches some people to receive and others to give.”
Toys and items for the gift bags are either purchased with funds that are donated or by items provided by toy companies and by many corporate, civic, school and church groups who purchase the items themselves. Cheerful Givers found that families who can’t afford food, can’t afford any type of birthday gift. Gift bags are distributed to shelters and food shelves, which is where parents get them to give to their child. Some food shelves have a “birthday shelf” where bags are kept and volunteers ask parents coming in for food if they have a child with an upcoming birthday. They also partner with Second Harvest Heartland who distributes the majority of their birthday bags to the hundreds of agencies they serve throughout Minnesota.
All of the children and families who Cheerful Givers come in contact with have an effect on them, but one case in particular that Karen heard about was a six-year-old boy living in a homeless shelter with his Grandmother. “When one of the workers asked about his birthday, he turned to her and said, “Grandma, I don’t have a birthday, do I?” His birthday had never been recognized and he believed he didn’t deserve to have one. If you can imagine what it would feel like as a child to go without any recognition of your one special day or how heartbreaking it is for parents who simply can’t afford to give their child a birthday present, then you can understand the great need for this service. With more families now living in poverty (over 140,000 today in Minnesota), we face a great challenge. While many organizations provide holiday gifts in December, we believe it’s equally important for every child to be recognized on their birthday and birthdays happen every day of the year. Please visit www.cheerfulgivers.org for more information or to make a donation.”
