Most kids think of their birthdays as a time to receive. What could be better, after all, than hanging out with your friends, eating cake and ice cream and unwrapping lots of toys, video games and other fun stuff? For six-year-old Bryce of Roswell, a kindergartener at Tritt Elementary School, birthdays have always been about gratitude and giving back, too.
When Bryce was two years old, his parents began choosing charitable causes for his friends to donate to in lieu of birthday gifts. “Between my husband and me as well as his grandparents, Bryce gets plenty of birthday presents and doesn’t need an additional 20 more coming from friends,” explained his mom, Lynn. “We thought this would be a great way to teach Bryce how great it is to give back–even on your special day. It’s also a way to introduce Bryce’s friends and their families to giving and to spread the word about particular charities.”
For his third, fourth and fifth birthdays, Bryce chose the same charities his older sister had assisted on some of her birthdays. For example, he handed out new books and activity books at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and brought food to the Pet Buddies Food Pantry, which works to keep pets with their families (and out of shelters) during hard times.
This year, Bryce chose Simple Needs GA as his birthday charity after some kind folks on Facebook heartily recommended us. We were so pleased and honored to be a part of this special act of kindness! It was great to meet Bryce and his family at our warehouse, where Bryce learned all about our My Birthday Matters program. The toys he donated will go straight to kids in need who might otherwise not have had any presents to open on their birthdays. What a wonderful way to add some depth and appreciation to a child’s birthday!
Thanks so much to Bryce and his family for their support of Simple Needs GA!
Simple Needs GA 