Boosterthon Fun Run Joins the Party With Birthday Blessings to Serve Homeless Campers

Ballantyne, NC – On June 22, approximately 50 homeless elementary students enjoyed a Birthday Blessings summer party blowout at “My Place” day camp with activities sponsored by the Boosterthon Fun Run Team, located in Charlotte, NC.

Each year during summer months, Birthday Blessings, an all-volunteer nonprofit serving homeless children and families across the greater Charlotte region, continues to serve CMS homeless students with its Student Birthdays Program by hosting parties at a day camp operated by nonprofit partner A Child’s Place.

Boosterthon Fun Run, a school fundraising company, partnered with Birthday Blessings to bring fun, fitness and a special message to homeless day campers at the Birthday Blessings celebration in June. The company’s efforts were fueled by their outreach foundation, Change the World. Currently, the Boosterthon Team serves 45 schools per year in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.

“Serving others is ingrained into the company culture of the Boosterthon Fun Run,” said Team Leader Rex Little. “We believe that partnering with Birthday Blessings is a tremendous opportunity for us to celebrate these wonderful children by creating an experience that will make each of them feel like the most important child on earth.”

Said Birthday Blessings Volunteer Program Manager, Terri Springer: “The Boosterthon Fun Run Team was amazing. They were so full of energy, and the kids had a really great time.” Boosterthon team members led the campers in relay races, an obstacle course, a bungee rocket challenge, a dance party, and a character-building LAUNCH lesson. “We let students know that leaders are Learners, Active, Uplifting, Not bullies, Courageous, and Helpers,” said Little.

The birthday guests of honor participated in a special “birthday shuffle” dance, while Birthday Blessings volunteers and Boosterthon team members served cupcakes, juice, and topped off the celebration with goodie bags for all of the children. One particular birthday boy was unaware of the childhood tradition of blowing out candles, a heartfelt reminder to all that so many homeless children have never celebrated their birthdays. “After he blew out his candles, he was grinning from ear to ear,” said Springer. “These birthday kids will never forget their special day. The impact this event had on all of the children was priceless and truly was a blessing for all involved.”

Birthday Blessings’ Student Birthdays Program reaches approximately 300 transient homeless elementary and middle school students across CMS every year. Students are indentified in partnership with nonprofit A Child’s Place.

Birthday Blessings began in 2005 as a family service project created by Mint Hill couple Amy and John Cervantes. In 2008, they incorporated their service venture as a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, quickly expanding the organization’s programs and services. To date, Birthday Blessings has celebrated more than 1,100 birthdays for homeless children and their families. The all-volunteer nonprofit currently serves homeless facilities and programs across a four-county region. The organization also provides Blessing Baskets filled with care essentials and gifts to welcome and support the arrival of homeless babies.

Birthday Blessings began developing a national expansion program in 2009, with pilot affiliate chapters now getting under way in northeast Indiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Atlanta, Georgia.

Shown in the photo (from left to right) is Boosterthon Fun Run Team Leader Jonathan Settle, Birthday Blessings youth volunteer Logan Springer, Boosterthon Fun Run Team Leader Rex Little, Boosterthon Fun Run Experience Leader Kyle Scarbro