It’s true that there are children and youth right here in our community that may not hear the words “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” on their big day. Our desire is to serve all kids in foster care and our focus is on kids that may not typically have a birthday celebration. We want to send the message loud and clear through the birthday box that “YOU ARE WORTH IT” and “YOU ARE LOVED”.
When you create a birthday box, you ensure every child has the opportunity to celebrate their life with their family and friends, regardless of family resources.
A birthday box is a bag filled with gifts, decorations and other essential birthday items. Each one can be customized to the child’s age.
Nationally, children in foster care often carry their only belongings in trash bags when they enter foster care or move to a new placement. We ask that each birthday box include a duffel bag, backpack or other piece of luggage. This is another way to send the message of worth while also celebrating the child’s birthday.
Things to consider including in your Birthday Box:
- Cake mix
- Frosting and cake decorations
- Candles
- Balloons
- Party hats, noisemakers, etc.
- Party games
- Plates, cups, napkins and utensils
- Birthday banner or decorations
- Birthday card with a note from you!
- Gift or Gift Card (age appropriate)
- Backpack or duffel bag
Sign up to participate in providing a Birthday Box by clicking here.
Within 48 hours of receiving your request to participate, we will contact you with the first name of the child, age, and gender. If you have any questions you can email us at outreach@crosspointeada.com.
Common Questions
1. Do I provide an actual box for the birthday child?
Yes! Be creative and feel free to think outside of an actual box.You can use backpacks, duffel bags, plastic totes, laundry baskets, or a small piece of luggage.
Many children in foster care transport their belongings in trash bags so we like the idea of a box that can be used for other purposes after the birthday is done! When possible, it is most helpful when the box or bag can be zipped or closed to ensure all items remain together.
2. Should I wrap the gifts or leave them unwrapped?
We ask that you leave gifts unwrapped. For those of you who are big into wrapping, be creative about how you may still give the recipient the opportunity to open a present by using tissue paper to wrap a gift, putting gifts in gift bags inside the box or using tissue paper covering all contents of the box. It’s up to your own creativity to determine how you would like to do this but we need to be able to see what the contents of the box are.
3. Do I include a card? What should I write in the card?
Yes, please include a card. Feel free to include a positive, uplifting birthday message to the birthday child. You can sign the card with the first names of the members of your family or by signing Crosspointe Church.
4. Can I meet the child whose birthday I am sponsoring or help them to celebrate in person?
Currently this is not possible.
5. There’s not much information about what the child I’m sponsoring wants or is interested in. Is there a way I can get additional information?
Shoot us a message or email and we can try our best to help you. There are times when we are able to get additional information and times that it will just require that you are creative. The best thing to do is purchase age appropriate items.
6. How do I arrange delivery and when will it be received by the child?
You can drop the birthday box by Crosspointe Church and leave in the Outreach Room (west side entrance just past the stairs on the right). We will ensure the birthday box gets to the child.
7. Do I have to spend a certain amount of money on my box?
No. It is inevitable that different boxes will be of different values and that’s okay.