Katie and her sons with all of the birthday donations they collected from friends
I was so blessed and inspired by this email from Katie:
I’ve been a reader of yours for years, and you’ve helped me learn to be content with what I have and who I am. I’ve also learned from you the value of living with less “stuff”. With that, for my recent 29th (golden) birthday, I asked friends and family to donate birthday supplies (instead of buying me “more stuff”) to help with my mission to assemble and donate 29 bags for deserving/needy children in our area. The response was INCREDIBLE and my new goal is to assemble 100 bags this year, and maybe double that next year!
This has been an amazing lesson for my children to watch me give graciously and find joy in helping others.
Thank you for planting the seeds of generosity in my heart. -Katie
For more pictures and details on Katie’s story, check out this news story.
lori says
Katie,
How did you go about finding the places that would take the bags? Did you contact them directly and tell them your idea? This is a really amazing idea. I would love to do something like this.
Marie says
Katie- that is awesome!! I can’t believe we are neighbors!!! i also live in Albertville. Maybe we will run into each other sometime. I have b/g twins and a 15 month old.
Katie says
Wow! Are you kidding!?!?!?! How fun, and what a small world!! If you ever want to e-mail, I’d love it: [email protected]
Take care:)
KATE@Confections of a Cheapskate says
Wow! This is such a wonderful idea! May I ask where you bring the donations to? Is it through your church? What an inspiration!
Katie says
We’ll be delivering the donations to local food shelves and shelters. It’s not through our church- but maybe it will be soon!!!!! Just imagine how much it could grow:)
Hannah says
That is so cool! Its great to get ideas of simple ways to help others in our community. I am inspired.
Sarah says
Your children are so blessed to have you as a mom, Katie!
God bless you!
Jen says
What a blessing and a gift to your community and children!
Betsy says
Love this idea! What all did you collect for these bags– napkins, cups, candles, etc.?
Katie says
Hi Betsy,
Yes- the bags included lots of fun stuff for a child’s party (usually with a theme): cake mix, frosting, candles, plates, napkins, cups, toys, favors, balloons, decorations, invitations, etc… the bags varied due to the donations that came in!
Sullivan's Mom says
Neat! I’m going to go read the news story. In a similar vein, we are having a day of random acts of kindness on the birthday of our baby that was stillborn. June 12th would be Sullivan’s 3rd birthday. Since he can’t be here to make a difference in the world, we’re doing it for him.
Here is a link to the facebook event if anyone wants to join in! You don’t have to BE near us, you just do a random act of kindness in your own neck of the woods!
https://www.facebook.com/events/289780537780709/
Kimber says
I don’t know you or your family, and I hope you don’t mind that I looked up your Facebook page and I invited myself to your party. :o) I am a mother too – I’ll be thinking of Sullivan on June 12th. My family and I wil find something special to do.
Staci says
My son turns seven that day. Thinking Ill take him out and do some RAOK in memory of your sweet boy.
Sullivan's Mom says
Thank you Staci! Post in on the fb group if you can on that day. I keep track of all the acts of kindness done for Sullivan and will write them in my journal so I can remember how people, even strangers, know my sweet baby.
Sullivan's Mom says
Thank you Kimber, I am THRILLED that you invited yourself to the facebook event. His birthday, and the days preceeding are hard. It helps me to watch everyone’s acts of kindness get posted. Thank you so much.
julie egbert says
This touched my heart! Our angel is Dylan. He lived 10 days and would be 8 now. On his angel day we do something similar we decided we would do “good” things that day to remember him. I collect crafts, books, toys etc all year to donate to our children’s hospital where he spent his short life.
Way to make his impact on the earth as big and good as possible! That is what we try to do-help as many other kids as we can!
Katie says
Thanks for posting! I’ll be inviting myself to your party as well!
Rachel says
We don’t know your family either but we invited ourselves and will do a random act of kindness on Sullivan’s birthday which also is my daughter’s 4th birthday. I have a sister who was born stillborn in 1986 and I know she celebrates her birthday in heaven every year and we can’t wait to see her again!
We will post on your Facebook afterward.
Bethany says
Love it!
Challice says
Oh that is just a wonderful read! I love that!
celina says
i do something similar in that my november bday…daddy and in laws still send me money…which i use for the shipping costs for operation shoe box..and my gift from hubby and the kids..is shopping for these boxes….i usually fill 12..and i hope to do 20 this year…we do it as a family and we LOVE IT>…so much fun …i collect stuff year round now for them..to capitalize on some great deals. Makes me so look forward to my birthday every year.