Students Helped Raise Nearly $10,000 to Support Birthday Wishes

This year, students participating in the Birthday Wishes Student Ambassador Program turned kindness into action, raising nearly $10,000 to support children experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

We are beyond grateful to these amazing young people who chose to use their time, creativity, and compassion to help ensure children living in shelters and transitional housing feel celebrated on their birthdays. From organizing fundraisers to spreading awareness in their schools and communities, each student made a meaningful impact.

More than twenty years ago, Birthday Wishes began when three friends organized a birthday celebration for a five-year-old boy living in a shelter whose family could not afford to celebrate his special day. This year’s Student Ambassadors carried that same spirit of kindness forward in their own unique ways, and we could not be more proud of them.

“For many families we serve, financial hardship and housing instability can make birthdays incredibly difficult,” shared Denell Nuese, Executive Director at Birthday Wishes. “These students helped make it possible for caregivers to create joyful birthday memories for their children during challenging times, and we are incredibly grateful for their compassion, leadership, and creativity.”

FY26 Student Ambassadors

Kindness Crew (Pre-K-Grade 5)

Mary T.

Celebrations Crew (Grades 6-8)

Sara S.

High School & College Student Ambassadors

Claire I., Chloe L., Delia T., Elodie L., Farah B., Jai P., Sierra V., and Zach B.

In honor of their efforts, each FY26 Student Ambassador will receive a special “First Wish Award” certificate inspired by the very first birthday celebration that led to the creation of Birthday Wishes more than twenty years ago.

To all of our Student Ambassadors and their families: thank you for helping create brighter birthdays and joyful memories for children experiencing homelessness. Your kindness truly made a difference this year.

Interested in Becoming a Student Ambassador?

Birthday Wishes is now recruiting the next class of Student Ambassadors for the upcoming school year, and we would love to welcome even more young people into the program.

Students can participate individually or through schools, clubs, faith communities, sports teams, scouting groups, National Honor Society chapters, or other service organizations. Whether a student enjoys fundraising, volunteering, advocacy, social media, or community service, there are many ways to get involved.

Most importantly, Student Ambassadors have the opportunity to make a real difference for children experiencing homelessness while helping build kinder, more connected communities.