For more than a decade, Christine Gonenc and Lauren Repnyek, founders of My Birthday Too, a non-profit organization (501c3), were active volunteers in the Wake Forest schools attended by their sons. While doing so, they discovered that the fundamental needs of some children were going unmet; which likely meant other simple pleasures of childhood that many take for granted — such as celebrating a birthday — may also be missing. In early 2019, with their own children now grown, Lauren and Christine launched My Birthday Too as a way to give back and invest in local youth. After all, every child deserves a birthday celebration.
“It all started with the vision: ‘To help children feel cherished and celebrated’,” says Repnyek, “and we accomplish this by bringing fun, memorable birthday experiences — hosting parties and providing families in-need with party supplies — making it possible for children to feel treasured and important on their special day.”
My Birthday Too hosted its first parties this past summer, hosting uniquely-themed events to the children attending the Wake Forest Summer Nutrition Program. Already planning for 2020, My Birthday Too has dozens more occasions scheduled, including the January launch of monthly parties at the Wake Forest Boys and Girls Club, while also continuing to serve The Children of Wake Forest Northeast.
On Friday, Nov. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m., My Birthday Too is hosting its annual fundraiser at Greenway Beer & Wine in Rolesville. “Our goal is to raise $15,000” says Gonenc, “This support will fund our 2020 programs — enabling us to help hundreds of local kids feel cherished on their birthday. We invite the community to join us on November 15 and learn more about My Birthday Too.
Greenway Beer & Wine is at 519 South Main Street in Rolesville, 919-428-7736.
For more information on My Birthday Too visit www.mybirthdaytoo.org or
follow along at https://www.facebook.com/mybirthdaytoo
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