Our Founder's Story
Birthdays are special and worth celebrating because people are special. Every single person in this world has a birthday. Whether you are living with an abundance of resources or with very little every single person has a birthday that should be happy and celebrated.
As a child my birthdays were extra special every year complete with a theme, decorations, games, friends, presents and cake. I grew up with my parents and two younger sisters in Wisconsin where we went all out for birthdays. My mom is a fantastic party planner and gave my sisters and I the most fun, memorable parties. We would start months in advance brainstorming and dreaming up the best unique themes. She would let us be creative, use our imaginations and plan out a party that was sure to be special.
I had a variety of party themes for my birthdays growing up including a horse theme, luau, geology lover party complete with safety goggles, gems and hammers, a spa party and more! The parties were filled with love, laughter and feelings of “you are important”. Fast forward a bunch of years and now I am married and a mother to three little boys. They are wild, energetic and party animals. From their very first birthdays we have had creative themes with over-the-top decorations, sweet treats and oodles of family and friends. Each of my boys look forward to their special day all year long, they dream up big celebrations and enjoy planning out games and favors for their friends.
A couple years ago when it seemed like we were in birthday party overdrive attending a different little friends party each weekend it hit me...there are lots of kids in the world not getting a party. My heart hurt bad, every single child should feel loved and special on their birthday, the one day each year it can be all about them. Knowing that it isn’t possible for all parents or caregivers to give their children a birthday party I still felt like that can’t and shouldn’t be an excuse; there are hundreds, thousands of people with more than enough and huge hearts willing to help.
With that Box of Balloons was started, on a mission to make sure every child is celebrated and each birthday is happy. A overwhelming generous team of volunteers, donors and businesses have all come together in the past two and a half years to provide birthday boxes filled with all the necessary party supplies for children in need. We work with homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, school districts and more to give parents a box that is not only filled with tangible party supplies but also the hope they may need.
Now as my children grow and their wishes for party themes change I am able to not only share my passion for celebrations with them but also the importance of loving others, no strings attached, just a simple box filled with love and the grandest party to be had!
Happy Birthday Friends!
