Garden parties by Extra-Ordinary Birthdays
What do you think about when you hear the phrase “garden party”?
Do you see fashionable summer dresses and hats? Maybe you envision eating cute finger sandwiches and smelling fragrant flowers while sitting on wicker patio furniture? If so, you’re not alone.
Until recently, these images were synonymous with garden parties for me. However, volunteering with Extra-Ordinary Birthdays last month helped me to expand my views on these kinds of gatherings. It turns out that a beautiful garden party can also consist of character tee-shirts, tasty snacks, colorful plastic tablecloths, and helium balloons.
I had this realization in the activity room at Sarah’s Hope when I saw children plan the early stages of what will one day be a beautiful garden party. They were planting seeds of kindness while celebrating their birthdays.
At the Minecraft-themed party, Ahmonte grabbed a chair from another table for his friend to sit beside him.
Meanwhile, another seed was being planted by Wyatt at the SpongeBob SquarePants-themed party across the room: generosity.
Keeping the tradition of younger siblings at birthday parties, Wyatt’s brother really wanted his favorite gifts. Little brother’s passionate request (…ok highly emotionally demand) for the new toy was initially met with resistance. However, without coaxing from adults, Wyatt made the decision to share his gift with his tearful brother.
These gestures not only warmed my heart, but they made me think about the other types of seeds that EO Birthdays staff, volunteers and donors are sowing around the DMV-area.
Together, we’re planting seeds of:
- Imagination – From the planner volunteers who prepare the games, activities, crafts, goodie bags, and all other aspects of our birthday parties, to the host volunteers, we transform ordinary spaces into top-notch party venues.
- Happiness – Each Extra-Ordinary Birthday celebration offers children and families experiencing homelessness an opportunity to enjoy moments of sunshine when there is so much sadness in the world.
- Self-love – In addition to creating moments of pure positivity, our parties remind children and parents alike that they are worthy of being loved, respected and celebrated.
Like any lover of plants and a great garden party, I am hopeful that these seeds will continue to flourish and be spread by the families we support. Our world could certainly use more beautiful gardens.
By Keiana Greene-Page