Birthday Wishes of Long Island Inspires Youth Volunteerism

Birthday Wishes of Long Island, a nonprofit that provides birthday parties for homeless children, is encouraging kids to help others.

The Long Island nonprofit throws birthday parties for children living in shelters, hotels, and scattered sites. And, throughout the month of July, Birthday Wishes of Long Island has been encouraging children to help others in need through its Kids Helping Kids campaign.

The campaign challenges children to create their own fundraising activity, by any means they would like, to help out local shelters. Suggested ideas include bake sales, lemonade stands, and car washes. Children are encouraged to fundraise at their leisure throughout the month.

“What’s unique about our Kids Helping Kids campaign is we’re giving them [children] the freedom to choose how they want to fundraise,” said Long Island director Jamie Rapfogel in a press release. “Allowing kids to combine their passions and interests with fundraising will make volunteering something they enjoy doing, and hopefully something they will want to continue.”

Birthday Wishes of Long Island provides parties for children ages 1-18. “Despite their family situation, the kids we meet in the homeless shelters are no different from any other kids," Rapfogel said the press release. “Everyone deserves to be celebrated on their birthday. We hope to show kids that anyone can make a difference, and have fun doing it.”