Nuevas Fronteras Kids Club Currates Birthday Wishes

Every child deserves to feel celebrated on their birthday. However, for many families, the cost of cakes, decorations and party supplies can make that joy difficult to provide. Students who attend Kids Club at Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion (NFSI) wanted to do something to meet that need. 

Students and their families created birthday kits filled with birthday essentials to help families celebrate their children’s special day. The group completed an impressive 86 birthday kits that were donated to the Friends in Need food shelf in St. Paul Park.

Kids Club engages students with a curriculum based on eight key learning areas, with service learning as an essential part of their curriculum. Through this hands-on service project, students collected donations of box cake mix, cake pans, frosting, soda, balloons and candles that they then assembled into the birthday kits. Each kit also included a handmade card from a student wishing the recipient a happy birthday. 

“This project really helped students see how small acts of kindness can make a big difference,” said NFSI Kids Club supervisor Kathy Gross. “They were thinking about another child and what would make them feel special.”

“I really liked making a birthday card to send with the kit, so they get something extra special,” said third-grader Lauren Holzbauer.

Students learned that not all families have the same resources, and that they can help bridge that gap.

“In the midst of hardship, these kits offer a moment of celebration, ensuring children feel seen and cherished on their special day with cake, candles, and genuine care,” said the director of Friends in Need, Crystal Schneider.

“We are teaching kids to give,” says NFSI Kids Club paraprofessional Alejandra Rodriguez. “They were so eager to help when they learned that not everyone can afford supplies to celebrate a birthday.” 

“Helping people in need feels good,” says fourth-grader Michael Tody. “If a kid needs help, he can get it from the pantry and have a special day.”

The families that had collected donations were so inspired by the group's initiative that they worked with Kids Club to host a family social for parents and guardians to help assemble the kits.

“Parents and family members came out to help pack the kits,” said fifth grader Mila Baidoo. “We made it a whole event with muffins, cookies and juice.”

“It was heart-warming to see the kids put so much effort into the birthday cards,” said NFSI parent Casey Harms.