Birthday Buddies

Does Your Child Need a Birthday Buddy?

Parents – click the button below to submit a referral.

Program Overview

Birthday Buddies is a program for kids in foster care with upcoming birthdays, who have been identified as likely to receive very few or no gifts for their birthday. As a Birthday Buddy, you donate to grant the birthday wishes by purchasing gifts online. Kids under 5 years old receive $50 worth of gifts, kids between 6-12 years old receive $75 worth of gifts, and kids 13 and older get $100 worth of gifts. Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition purchases the gifts that the children requested and they are shipped directly to the child in time for their birthday.

Children Needing Buddies

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Sariya

❤️ 7 year old

Sariya is a bright and joyful 7-year-old with a wonderful personality. She adores Barbie dolls—especially ones with long hair she can comb and style. For her birthday, she dreams of cupcakes, ice cream, Imo’s pizza, and a new Barbie doll to make her special day perfect.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Mickey

❤️ 3 year old

Active, adventurous, and full of life, Mickey is happiest when he’s outside exploring and playing. He adores Spidey & His Amazing Friends, with Hulk holding the top spot in his heart. Sponsoring his birthday with a Spidey & His Amazing Friends bedroom makeover would make him feel like a true superhero every day.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Nathan

❤️ 3 year old

This sweet and incredible boy has faced challenges with a big heart and an adventurous spirit. Nathan adores his little sister, loves being independent, and finds joy in puzzles, dancing, climbing, and anything that helps him explore the world. Big trucks, tractors, trains, and problem-solving toys would be the perfect way to make Nathan’s birthday bright.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Irene

❤️ 16 year old

Irene is a kind and respectful 16-year-old who has recently entered foster care. Despite the changes in her life, she has shown grace, warmth, and a wonderful personality to everyone around her. She would be thrilled to celebrate her birthday with a personalized cake and bath and body items that make her feel pampered and special.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Eygpt

❤️ 10 year old

Eygpt is a caring girl with a warm heart who loves making friends, creating crafts, and finding little ways to brighten someone’s day. She adores everything pink, making friendship bracelets, and creating TikTok videos with her siblings. She has lots of birthday gift ideas, including Lilo & Stitch room décor, plushies, cute skirts, press-on nails, and a Stanley water bottle.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Kristian

❤️ 15 year old

For Kristian, Xbox isn’t just about playing games—it’s his way of staying close to the cousins and friends. Since losing his mom over three years ago and moving through several placements, gaming has been a way for him to keep those important connections strong. This year, a Sprayground backpack or Xbox gift cards would make his birthday unforgettable and help him hold onto the bonds he cherishes most.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Jayden

❤️ 18 year old

Jayden is a fashionista with a passion for clothes, jewelry, makeup, and shoes. She is always looking on YouTube to discover the newest trends. She adores shopping at Target for fashion finds, beauty products, and her favorite body care items. By gifting her a Target gift card, you’ll give her the freedom to select the treasures that will make her birthday unforgettable.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Kingsten

❤️ 9 year old

Kingsten is a fun, loving 9-year-old with a smile that lights up every room he enters. He’s a talented athlete who enjoys all sports, a budding fashion trendsetter, and a big fan of Monster Trucks—carefully collecting them to avoid duplicates. Sponsoring his birthday with a gift card will let him experience the joy of choosing the toys and treasures that mean the most to him.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Malik

❤️ 2 year old

Two-year-old Malik is full of curiosity and adventure. At daycare, he loves riding on the toys and pretending he’s off on big adventures. For his birthday, Malik would be overjoyed to receive a riding toy of his own to use at his foster home so he can ride and explore to his heart’s content.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Maverick

❤️ 1 year old

Maverick is a joyful baby who’s always smiling and loves to “bee-boop” along to music! His face lights up when he hears a tune, and musical toys are his favorite. For his birthday, he’d love a Little Tikes riding toy or anything that plays music.

Birthday Buddy Gifts for Miracle

❤️ 7 years old

Full of energy and always on the move, Miracle is a joyful child who adores Sonic the Hedgehog and Bluey. She loves basketball, outdoor adventures, and anything that keeps her moving! Help us celebrate her birthday with Sonic-themed toys, a handheld game, and fun surprises she’ll love.

Referrals

For a foster parent/case manager to enroll their foster child in the “Birthday Buddy” program:

The foster parent/case manager must complete and submit the application below.
The child MUST currently be in foster care (not adopted or guardianship).
The foster child must be likely to receive nothing or almost nothing for their birthday.
Applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the child’s birthday.
Applications must be submitted no more than four months before the child’s birthday.

Your Information

Name

Relationship to Child

Cell Phone

Home Phone

Work Phone

If you are a Case Manager who wants Gifts Mailed to the Caregiver, Provide First and Last Name of Caregiver:

Caregiver Name

Address Where the Gifts Should be Mailed

Street

City

State

Zip

Caseworker Information

Case Worker Name

Case Worker Phone

Foster Child's Information

Child's First Name

Child's Last Name

Date of Birth

Age of Child on Birthday

Gender

Race

How long has this child been in foster care?

Birthday Information

Is this child likely to receive little or nothing for their birthday?

YesNo

What would the child like for their birthday? Please be specific. Teenagers will receive $100 in gifts, younger children will receive $50 in gifts. If clothing, please specify size.

Describe the child's personality, talents and interests. Give specific examples and detail:

By completing and signing this application, I hereby request to enroll the foster child in my physical custody in the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition’s Birthday Buddy program.

I understand there is no guarantee that my foster child will be matched with a Birthday Buddy. I understand that I will be contacted if the child is matched;
I understand that the Birthday Buddy program is completely dependent on the generosity and responsibility of others. I understand that even if my foster child is matched with a Birthday Buddy, circumstances beyond the Coalition’s control may prevent my foster child from receiving presents through the Birthday Buddy program.
I promise to inform the Coalition if the foster child is removed from my physical custody before their birthday.
I promise that we will write a thank you note to the Birthday Buddy within 14 days of receiving the birthday present. I will send the thank you note to the Coalition, to be forwarded to the Birthday Buddy.
I attest that the information in this Birthday Buddy application is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

By typing your full name below, you electronically acknowledge reading and understanding the above information. You state that all of the information you provided is true.

Full Name (Electronic Acknowledgement):

Questions?

Contact Shelley Thomas-Benke at (314) 806-2520.

*We try to ensure that as many foster children as possible receive gifts on their birthday. On rare occasion, we may pull gifts from an extremely generous donation to share with another foster child who has not been matched with a Birthday Buddy.