Celebrating birthdays for children in need

Friday, May. 20, 2016

DRAPER — People often say that “God answers prayers in mysterious ways,” which isn’t far from what a Saint John the Baptist parishioner has experienced throughout her life.

Sonya Lamb has always been involved in projects helping the community, feeding the hungry through the Good Samaritan program at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and actively participating in her parish, “but somehow I felt I was not doing enough, so I started praying God to help me figure out what should I do next,” she said.

After two days she got a phone call from her mother, telling her about a project that hosts birthday celebrations for children in need.

“It was the answer to my prayer,” said Lamb, who immediately called Ali Micek, also a St. John the Baptist parishioner, “because that’s what you do when you have an idea – you call your best friend.”

Micek was on board immediately and the Celebration Project, a nonprofit organization, was born.

Since March, the Celebration Project has partnered with local homeless shelters to throw birthday parties for homeless children who may be overlooked or “whose families may not have the resources to celebrate their children,” said Lamb. “The parties aren’t extravagant, but you can bet the moments we create stick with these children forever.” 

Parties are typically two hours long and are made possible through the help of volunteers and donations.

“At the parties, all children attending are served pizza, cake and ice cream. The birthday children each get a special birthday cupcake, with a candle, for an extra-special wish,” said Lamb.

Goody bags are assembled beforehand by volunteers and given as party favors to all children in attendance. 

“Also the birthday kid gets a wrapped $30 gift that is picked for him or her,” said Lamb.

Last weekend, the Celebration Project threw a birthday party for 150 kids at the Road Home.

The volunteers arrived an hour early  to set up and decorate, and they stayed afterward to help clean up. 

During the party there was entertainment donated by community members, and decorations by Zurchers.

“We may have face painting, singing and musical performances, magicians, balloon artists, clowns, bounce houses, and the list goes on and on. We are always open to new talent donating to our events,” said Lamb.

The Celebration Project’s goal is that “every child in Utah is celebrated,” she said.

“We all have something that only we can give. It may be your smile, your time, your talents. … It’s so important for us to share with others every chance we get because you never know when God may need you to be the answer to someone else’s prayer,” Lamb said.

There are many ways to volunteer. People can donate their time helping at the parties; their talents if they have ability as entertainers, face painters, magicians, or if they have bounce houses; or their treasure donating gifts or money. Even kids can donate their birthday gifts if they wish to.

For information about the Celebration Project, call 801-597-7575 or visit info@TheCelebrationProject.org.