Birthday Blessings Announces Thanksgiving ‘Double the Impact’ Campaign

Birthday Blessings, a nonprofit organization that supports local foster kids, is having a Thanksgiving Double the Impact Campaign Nov. 18 - 22.

An anonymous supporter will match donations up to a total of $5,000 during this time.

“Kids in foster care deal with a lot of trauma and uncertainty. We know we can’t erase their damaging experiences. We can add some hope and cheer to their lives by letting them know someone cares about their existence,” said Shannon VonAllmen, executive director of Birthday Blessings.

The 501c3 organization partners with child advocacy agencies like Children’s Divisions and Court Appointed Special Advocates to assist local foster kids. The agencies send a referral for each child to Birthday Blessings. The nonprofit designs each service specifically to the needs and tastes of the child. Advocates take birthday bags, care packages, bedding and other resources to the kids during visits.

“Our goal is to give the kids a morale boost while providing items essential for functional living. That could mean self-care items, a backpack for school or a board game to promote positive social interactions,” she said.

“This year we anticipate filling more than 2000 requests for service through all our programs. We depend on donations from individuals, businesses and foundations to do that. Costs of almost everything have risen. Your support during this donor match will help us continue to fill all requests that come in,” VonAllmen finished.

Donations can be made on their website at www.birthday-blessings.org/donate.  Checks can be mailed to Birthday Blessings, 429 Aid Ave, West Plains MO 65775. Checks postmarked during the event will count towards the match total. For more information contact VonAllmen at 417-372-5306.

Photo cutlines:

Two ladies in black BB shirts: Cheri Joyce and Kathy Kleeschulte wrap a doll and new book for a birthday party headed to a young girl in state custody. The nonprofit relies on dozens of volunteers each month to maintain operations. Volunteers put much heart and effort into making the gifts look exciting for recipients.

One person: Shannon VonAllmen, Executive Director of Birthday Blessings, prepares CocaCola Christmas care packages for teens living in residential facilities. These will go to teens often have no one other than a caseworker or advocate to visit them on occasion. Ozarks CocaCola donated logo bags, sunglasses, frisbees and drink bottles to build the care packages around.