Meet Cameron - These are the moments YOU give families

“How many days? … How many days until I turn six?” asks Cameron, waving his six fingers in the air for his mom to see. “Can you believe I will be two hands old soon?”  

Cameron’s mom takes a deep breath. She scans the room of the homeless shelter they have been living in; her gaze lands on her child’s smiling face full of anticipation and hope of what their birthday may bring. She slowly smiles, takes another breath, and teases, “Wait a minute … You aren’t two full hands yet. I’m keeping you little as long as I can so I can tickle you.” Laughter fills that room as the parent and child reflect and eagerly await for Cameron’s birthday. 

Birthday Wishes celebrated 6,000 children like Cameron this year through our partner network composed of hundreds of homeless shelters, including those for families, domestic violence survivors, substance abuse recovery, and teen mothers.  

With donor support, we encourage and enable parents to carry the tradition of hosting a birthday party at their shelter so they have the opportunity to show just how much they love and value their child.  

As homeless rates continue to rise, more children are living in shelters, and more shelters are needing our support to help families foster connections and heal.  

 In twelve days, Birthday Wishes will deliver everything Cameron’s mom needs to celebrate her child’s birthday – party decorations, cake ingredients, cake pans, frosting, gifts, goody bags, and most importantly, six candles. The shelter will fill with laughter as the family sings “Happy Birthday,” and Cameron will hold up six frosting covered fingers before making his wish.  

We hope you will support us this year by making a donation to our year-end appeal. Together we can empower more caregivers and celebrate more children. 

 Sincerely, 

 Denell Nuese, Executive Director & Donor