November Birthday Heroes Celebration

From volunteer leader Debbie Swain: The Hope Worldwide North River Chapter volunteers were able to host four November Birthday Parties for the girls and elementary-age boys at Youth Villages in Douglasville, GA, on Saturday the 23rd! The Birthday Hero volunteers sort bags of activities, cards, and treats before heading to the party’s location on the campus. The children spy us coming and immediately start waving and letting us know whose birthday(s) we will be celebrating! For the older elementary age boys I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Jim and Mike (pictured standing together). These men immediately engaged the boys in activities, beginning with drawing handprint turkeys. It will be forever engraved in my mind the enthusiasm the boys had as Jim and Mike lead the boys in the game ‘Turkey Sliders.' The boys were to slide a plastic cup with an image of a turkey all the way down the end of the table to hit the paper plate. If the slider didn’t make it to the plate, they had to go back to the end of the line and try again. The hoots and hollers filled the room, and the boys would do a victory jump if their turkey made it to the end! Plus the laughter when Jim and Mike couldn’t get their turkey to the plate is something I won’t forget… and I realized, it will be something these boys won’t forget either. Men coming each month, while these kids are in a place of healing, brings tremendous joy. I thank God for Jim and Mike and all of the wonderful Birthday Heroes who give of themselves for others.