Behind the Box: What’s in our Birthday-in-a-Box?
A closer look at the magic we deliver—and why it matters.
At first glance, a Birthday-in-a-Box might look like a simple care package. But inside, it holds something far more powerful: a moment of joy, a sense of normalcy, and a chance for a child to feel truly celebrated—often for the first time.
Each box is thoughtfully curated and age-appropriate, filled with party supplies, wrapped gifts, cake mix, books, and decorations. But our work goes beyond the birthday. Because what we’re really delivering is connection, confidence, and a foundation for future milestones.
Our program is trauma-informed and works in tandem with the mental health support services offered by our 200+ shelter partners. We understand that families experiencing homelessness are often facing profound instability—and that small moments of celebration can play a powerful role in healing, bonding, and recovery.
And that’s why we’ve designed our boxes with intentional care:
There’s no Birthday Wishes branding—on anything. The party isn’t from us—it’s from the caregiver. Every item, including the pre-wrapped gifts, is intentionally unbranded so that parents and guardians can give them directly. It’s their moment. Their celebration. Their chance to show love and joy during a time when it’s needed most.
All gifts are new, unused, and still in their original packaging—a deliberate choice. Many of the children we serve have fled unsafe living situations and arrived in shelter with little or nothing. They’re often used to receiving secondhand items. This birthday, they receive something chosen just for them—something new, something theirs.
We include goody bags filled with small treats and toys for siblings and other children in the shelter—because inclusion matters, and every child deserves to feel part of the celebration.
What’s inside matters deeply:
Party materials to transform even the most temporary shelter into a space of celebration
Wrapped gifts such as puzzles, dolls, games, or craft kits that encourage play, emotional growth, and confidence
Books and toys that support learning, bonding, and language development
Cake mix and candles to ensure every child gets to make a wish
Milestone tools—items that help families keep celebrating long after the birthday ends
Whether it’s a board game for a school-age child or a craft kit for a creative teen, our boxes are carefully built to foster joy today and growth tomorrow.
“Without Birthday Wishes, many birthdays would quietly pass by—unnoticed or impossible to celebrate. For families in crisis, the boxes lift a huge emotional and financial weight. They allow caregivers to show love in a way they desperately want to, but often can’t. That moment of joy, of watching their child feel special, becomes a turning point. It brings hope, dignity, and a chance for the whole family to start healing together.”
— Shelter Case Manager, Massachusetts
Each year, with your support, we deliver over 6,000 birthday boxes to children in shelters across multiple states. And while the children may never know our name, that’s exactly how we want it.
Because our mission is not to take credit—it’s to give caregivers the chance to be the hero of the celebration.