Remember being a kid and making a wish on your birthday, just before you blew out all the candles on your cake?
KidWorks has a new take on this wonderful childhood tradition. We're calling it “Keep Our Dreams Alive.” It’s a way that you can help raise funds for KidWorks on your birthday (or any special day that has meaning for you, such as a wedding anniversary, retirement, christening, baptism, bar/bat mitzvah, Christmas, Hannukah—really any cause for celebration).
Here’s how it works:
KidWorks will help you set up a birthday fundraising campaign via social media (such as Facebook), email blast or even at a virtual party.
So far this year, nearly $12,000 has been raised for KidWorks by those celebrating birthdays.
And while birthdays are all about fun, “Keep Our Dreams Alive” has a serious side: Dollars raised are supporting food distribution to families served by KidWorks who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 due to parents losing jobs, financial hardship and other pressures.
Several KidWorks supporters attest to now much fun it is to help KidWorks’ students and families as part of a birthday.
Adrienne Schwartz knew just how to make her birthday extra special. She was already connected to KidWorks through her company, Bank of America, which has supported KidWorks with grants and other funding.
"This year, people were asking me what I would like for my birthday and I quickly realized that I have all that I could ever need,” Adrienne says. “Now, more than I ever, I realize the importance of giving back. I chose KidWorks because for the last 10 years, I was lucky to attend their annual Foundation for Success fundraising lunch and hear the amazing stories from the students who benefit from their after school help. I couldn’t think of a better organization to support in Orange County."
Karen Pederson is also all on-board to make KidWorks part of her birthday.
“At the end of September, I am having a decade/milestone birthday,” Karen says. “I believe that you should do something significant when celebrating a significant birthday.” Karen says she’s inspired by how KidWorks supports families and students in underserved Santa Ana neighborhoods.
“KidWorks is involved from pre-K through college through programs, tutoring and mentoring to help kids not only with their education, but also to develop leadership skills,” Karen says.
Emily Mandrup, a long-time KidWorks champion, says the best way she can think of to celebrate her 40th birthday is to raise funds for the organization she says is “a ray of sunshine in our community.”
“I am so honored to have such generous and caring people in my life
We invite you to include KidWorks part of your birthday—or any other special occasion. You’ll be a big part of our “Keep Our Dreams Alive” outreach during COVID-19 and beyond. Now, that’s real cause for celebration.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer