In recognition of World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, sixth-grade students at Oldfield Middle, under the direction of Andrea Horowitz, decorated and filled boxes with party supplies to help homeless children celebrate their birthdays.
In the weeks leading up to the event, students brought birthday supplies and presents to school to add to the boxes. They worked in groups to wrap the boxes and presents in festive paper. Following guidelines provided by the Birthday Wishes organization, each “birthday-in-a-box” party kit was created for a boy, girl or neutral birthday theme and filled with juice boxes, party hats, cups, napkins, plates, handmade birthday cards, a banner and presents. The students created a total of eight boxes to donate to Birthday Wishes.
“I think this creates an awareness for the kids to realize how much they have to be thankful for,” said Horowitz. “It makes the students feel good to help other kids.”
Founded in 2002, Birthday Wishes is a nonprofit organization that helps bring the magic of a birthday party to thousands of homeless children in shelters or transitional living facilities each year.
Story and photo courtesy of Harborfields School District
