“Because more families are struggling to provide basic needs such as housing and food, there is a greater number who cannot possibly afford to buy their child a birthday gift,” said Cheerful Givers President Karen Kitchel.

Cheerful Givers, a Minnesota-based nonprofit founded in 1994, serves the neediest children by distributing birthday gift bags to food shelves and shelters. By donating gift bags so parents living below the poverty line can honor their children with a birthday gift, they otherwise would not be able to afford, Cheerful Givers contributes to a child’s sense of self-worth while strengthening family bonds.

“As needs increase, many nonprofits are struggling to handle the increased number of people needing help. We must convey to foundations, corporations and individuals that what we provide is not only a birthday gift bag, but more importantly the increased self-esteem and self-worth that go with it,” Kitchel said.

“I particularly enjoy our ‘birthday bag bashes,’ allowing individuals the opportunity to change the lives of hundreds of children in a matter of an hour,” said Kelly O’Rourke Johns, chair of the Cheerful Givers board of directors. “When our volunteers look up at the end of the ‘bash’ and realize they have filled hundreds, sometimes thousands, of bags for needy children, I know we’ve done our small part to connect people in a profound way.”

Cheerful Givers founder, Robin Maynard, set up the nonprofit after meeting with Mother Teresa in India, and used the Scripture from 2 Corinthians as inspiration: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

“When we bring Cheerful Givers to schools, faith-based groups, corporate and civic groups, we are often teaching them about the importance of addressing this unmet need,” Kitchel said. “It’s very gratifying to know that we’re not only teaching some people to receive but others to give.”

“Our partnership with Cheerful Givers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of our food shelf operations. It’s great to give food to people but it’s also wonderful to give a birthday bag to a parent who is so grateful their child will receive something for his or her birthday,” said Darcy Schatz of Mount Calvary Family Resource Center. “Most of the people who visit our food shelf live in very stressful situations. They are struggling to pay bills, have medical issues and may not have the language or education skills to lift themselves out of poverty. But the minute we offer a birthday bag, their faces light up and suddenly life has become a little easier because we’ve eased, if just a bit, one of the burdens that person is carrying.”           

Since 1994, 285,155 birthday gift bags have been distributed. Their current goal is to reach out to 44,000 more disadvantaged children, and they rely on the generosity of volunteers and donors to help make this a reality.

“When I began serving the board of directors, I felt Cheerful Givers was a nice, ‘pay it forward’ organization worthy of my time and efforts. What I failed to realize then, and what has solidified my dedication to Cheerful Givers, is that the organization does so much more than simply provide a toy-filled birthday bag to a needy family,” O’Rourke Johns said. “There is something incredible that happens when people give of themselves. I believe it opens a door, lets in some light in the soul. We offer volunteers that opportunity—to cheerfully give of themselves. It is a blessing.”

Additional reporting by Bryan Malley.


ACTION POINT:
Cheerful Givers is looking for donations of funds or new toys, as well as groups to volunteer to fill gift bags. For more information, visit www.cheerfulgivers.org.