About Us
Awards
Cheryl
Baughman, Dena Ceullar, Marty Leander
& Michika Yakara pose with the Karen
Yahara Service Award in 2006. The award
honored Baughman & Ceullar for their
continued service throughout the year.
The Karen Yahara Service Award
The Karen Yahara Service award is an annual award, given in honor of one of the organization's three
co-founders, who passed away in June of 2006. It is presented to a Birthday Wishes volunteer or volunteers
who exemplify Karen's dedication to children and compassion for others.
It is these elements of Karen that sparked the creation of Birthday Wishes in 2002, and her enthusiasm and
devotion to the organization helped cultivate it and expand it's reach to nearly 500 children each year. Her
aspiration to bring smiles to homeless children on their birthdays has been an infectious one, attracting
volunteers and supporters from across the country, and her notion that every child deserves to celebrate their
birthday joyfully and surrounded by people who care has touched the lives of countless individuals.
2006 Recipients: Cheryl Baughman and Dena Ceullar
2007 Recipients: Julia Cohen and Maureen Outlaw