National Poverty in America Awareness Month

A January Message from Our Board Chair, Mike Albert

January marks National Poverty in America Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge the difficult realities facing the more than 40 million Americans who live in poverty. Families we serve navigate hunger, limited access to education and basic services, social discrimination, and the profound instability that comes with homelessness. These challenges do not exist in isolation. They compound, shaping how families live, learn, work, and hope.

At Birthday Wishes, we see what poverty looks like up close. But we also see something else: resilience, creativity, devotion, and hope. Caregivers who want their children to feel celebrated. Kids who want to feel like everyone else. Families doing their very best under extraordinary pressure.

Why This Work Matters

A birthday celebration cannot erase the complexities of poverty, but it can create a moment where those burdens are not the entire story. One parent recently shared:

“When my daughter opened her box and saw the decorations and gifts, she said, ‘This is the first time it feels like my birthday in a long time.’ She smiled all day.”

Moments like these remind us that joy is not frivolous. It is foundational. A celebration offers a child dignity, belonging, and a sense of normalcy at a time when so much feels out of their control. Each Birthday-in-a-Box supports emotional well-being, nurtures development, and strengthens the bond between children and their caregivers.

Looking Ahead

As the need grows, fueled by rising housing insecurity and longer shelter stays our commitment grows with it. This year, we will focus on:

• Reaching more children across our regions

• Enhancing age-appropriate gifts and themes, especially for toddlers and teens

• Supporting caregivers through trauma-informed and culturally responsive programming

Our mission is one piece of a larger effort to confront the effects of poverty and remind children that even in hardship they are worthy of celebration.

Join Us This Year

Birthday Shuffle, March 20, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the 7th Annual Birthday Shuffle will take place on Friday, March 20th at the UMass Club in Boston. As our largest fundraising event of the year, the Shuffle brings together an unforgettable evening of casino games, food, cocktails, raffles, and celebrations all in support of bringing birthday joy to children living in shelters. To become an event sponsor, purchase tickets, or learn more, please visit our Birthday Shuffle page.

Putt for Presents, August 27, 2026

Join us for Putt for Presents fundraiser on Thursday, August 27th at PineHills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA. In our thirteenth year, our golf tournament brings together fun, friendly competition, and meaningful impact. Whether you’re swinging for a prize or simply enjoying a day on the green, every putt helps deliver joy and dignity to a child on their birthday. To become an event sponsor, purchase tickets, or learn more, please visit our Putts for Presents page.

With gratitude,

Mike Albert, Chair