At Slingerlands Elementary School, a birthday party can fit inside a box thanks to more than 60 second graders who have found joy in community service.
Filled with candles, cards, cake mix, frosting, a whisk, sprinkles, and everyone’s favorite—Funfetti—75 “Birthday Boxes” were recently assembled by the students, their teachers, and parent volunteers to help ensure local children can celebrate their special day.
While all second graders took part in organizing the project, donations came from every corner of the Slingerlands school community. The service project aims to lend support to Capital Region families experiencing food insecurity and housing instability.
Students made individual birthday cards, decorated with colorful pictures and personal greetings, to accompany each kit. They also made special bookmarks that were tucked inside each birthday box.
Teacher Heather Reid first discovered the idea for Birthday Boxes on social media several years ago and felt it was a meaningful project children could connect with personally.
“It’s important for students to understand that there are children everywhere who may experience food insecurity or may not get to celebrate their birthday,” she said.
Reid, who organized a similar but smaller effort two years ago, said her connection with former teachers and administrators helped her identify where this year’s Birthday Boxes could be shared. The boxes are being distributed to several local organizations, including Free Food Fridge Albany, which serves marginalized and underserved communities in Albany and Troy, and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, which supports local families and immigrants in need.
Retired teacher Barb Reigel connected her with the Free Food Fridge, while retired teacher Bonnie O’Shea helped coordinate the St. Vincent’s donation.
The largest donation—43 birthday boxes—will go to the Marillac Family Shelter. The Marillac Shelter, an affiliate of St. Catherine’s Center for Children, is the only Albany County shelter that specializes in housing entire families. Slingerlands and Reid have a special connection to Marillac through the late Dorothy McDonald, who served as principal at Clarksville Elementary School and had worked with Reid at the St. Catherine’s Center.
“It’s a privilege to continue honoring her memory,” said Reid.
Thank you to Mrs. Reid, Ms. Collette, Ms. Koutsakis, and the entire Slingerlands community for its generosity and support in making this project such a success.
