“Today is my daughter’s birthday. She is nine years old and is really excited and extremely happy on her day. As a parent, I am in tears, because this is so important to a child. It’s absolutely great that there are others who care!” — parent of a student at Sawyer Road Elementary.
Simple Needs GA’s My Birthday Matters program brings brand-new toys, school supplies, a no-sew blanket, a stuffed animal, reading books, coloring books, underwear, socks, and other useful items to homeless schoolchildren in Cobb County who are celebrating their birthdays. We work in collaboration with counselors and social workers in the Marietta City and Cobb County (Powder Springs area) school systems who identify those children who are considered homeless. We also help children living in local shelters such as MUST Ministries, Family Promise of Cobb and LiveSAFE Resources. In addition, we celebrate the birthdays of the children of our furniture clients since more than likely the kids don’t have that much since they were living in homelessness. (To find out what children want for their birthdays, we have their parents fill out this form.)
The goal is to bring more self-esteem and joy to local children by helping their families make their birthday wishes come true. Like many other SNGA programs, My Birthday Matters aims to fill a niche in the services provided by local non-profits. During the Christmas holiday season, many charities work hard to provide for the wants and needs of underprivileged children, but far less attention is paid to honoring and fulfilling children’s wishes on their birthdays, says Kasey Litt, past SNGA board member, who suggested we start this program after her experiences on her birthday at times as a child. “With assistance from My Birthday Matters, kids’ special days can get the attention they deserve,” Kasey says.
In addition to direct financial contributions in support of this program, My Birthday Matters needs a steady supply of new toys, sporting equipment and other fun and useful items to support the needs of program recipients. See our Needed Items page for more details.
For more information, email brenda@SimpleNeedsGA.org.
Thanks for your support of kids in need!
Simple Needs GA 