The room is lined with gleaming decorations, a specialized banner etched with the words “Happy Birthday” strung high. Juice boxes are scattered across the table, prizes sitting in the corner ready to be gifted after the games. In the middle of the room rests a themed centerpiece next to a stunning cake. This birthday party, along with the 300 others each year, is organized through Sweet Celebrations, a non-profit organization that provides personalized parties to children experiencing homelessness. Sweet Celebrations was founded in 2013 by Beth Forti, who said the charity not only impacts the children, but their families as well.

“What’s really important to recognize is that almost all of these children have [never] had [their]  birthday celebrated before,” Forti said. “None of the children have ever been celebrated because none of their parents have been celebrated. We’re not only providing a fun day, [but] we’re also working with the parents [to teach them] the importance of celebrating a birthday and how much fun it is. What’s really [special] for me is getting all the pictures from families that end up moving into permanent housing and still showing me pictures [of them] celebrating their children after they move [out of the shelter.] I think [that] impact is incredibly important and the most heartwarming for me.”

According to Forti, Sweet Celebrations has hundreds of volunteers, whether they are regular volunteers or those who help a few times a year. One of these helpers is Angie Haller, who has been working with Sweet Celebrations for the past three years. Haller undertakes a variety of tasks for the charity, like delivering birthday supplies, picking up cakes from donors and conducting birthday parties. Haller called what she does “delivering smiles.”

“I think we all really don’t realize how much we take advantage of the fact that we’ve always had birthday parties,” Haller said.  “I’ve delivered parties to teenagers and it’s [their] first time [having] a birthday party.”