We all have memories of children’s birthday parties – decorations, games, gifts and cake. Ask a young child about their birthday and watch their face light up in anticipation. But for families in Charlotte who struggle to provide basic needs like food, clothing, and housing, these celebrations can result in financial strain.
Since 2005, Bright Blessings has served thousands of local children through programs like Bless-a-Birthday, a monthly program that fosters confidence and a sense of normalcy for children in need. Volunteers host birthday celebrations for children living in shelters or housing programs, provide family party packs and deliver birthday treats for children to share with classmates at school. Other core programs include Gift of Care and Gift of Literacy, which ensure children receive necessities, comfort items and new books to support their learning. Last year, Bright Blessings became one of the Junior League of Charlotte’s newest community partners.
“When the world shut down in spring of 2020, Bright Blessings kept going,” says the organization’s development manager, Melissa Tamez. “We knew the population we serve would be more vulnerable than ever. We were fortunate to be deemed essential but had to change how we did things for a while. We furloughed some staff, closed all volunteering in our facility and reworked how and what we could distribute that would be most helpful to children.”
While Junior League of Charlotte volunteers could not provide support in person as planned, the committee assembled more than 2,000 snack packs, hygiene kits and baby kits remotely. “Last year, we were completely virtual,” says JLC Bright Blessings Committee Chair, Caitlin Moczula. “Our committee hopes to expand our impact by doing more in-person events. We are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to attend Bless-a-Birthday events as shelters lift covid restrictions.”
This year, Bright Blessings will serve more than 35,000 homeless children and children living in poverty across the greater Charlotte region, making the partnership with the Junior League more critical than ever. The organization relies on volunteers and financial and in-kind donations to meet the volume of requests they receive. “We have no plans of turning children away who need our services,” says Tamez. “Having the JLC network of women in our corner means we will reach even more community members to spread awareness for the population we serve. We can’t think of anyone better to help than the JLC.”
Learn more about Bright Blessings here.
