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Posted: 7/21/2009 | Read More | Post Comment (0)

Spreading Sweet Lime Birthday Celebrations

by Monica Ho Ehlers (December 9, 2009)

Congratulations to Antonia Hannon Ehlers who makes it possible for children to celebrate their birthday!

About 12 years ago, Antonia Hannon Ehlers noticed a surprising trend of children's birthday parties. As an editor for the local paper, she had covered a few extravagant occasions where parents were spending upwards of $5,000 per event.

"There was such a huge discrepancy in our community. I knew a lot of families who were not even able to provide a basic birthday party for their kids," Ehlers recalled.

Feeling the need to do something, Ehlers established the Birthday Angels Program in conjunction with the Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club in San Mateo, California that same year in 1997.

"In today’s world, particularly living in the Bay Area, it’s hard for children to understand that there are people in their own community who are really struggling. We wanted Birthday Angels to be an opportunity to teach kids who had so much, to give back," explained Ehlers. "We strive to provide a special afternoon so that all children are able to celebrate during the month of their birthdays."

Children ages 5 to 14 are invited to a special party held once a month. There they are given star treatment by receiving presents, party favors and cake. Ehlers' three children have accompanied their mom to the celebrations since they were toddlers. Now school age, they regularly work at the parties by face painting and helping with art projects.

"Volunteering is so important. I hope that Birthday Angels has taught my kids to be more compassionate and that it has made them realize that everyone has some sort of struggle in life," she reflected. "You never know what’s going to happen, and people from all walks of life can hit hard times. The phrase that comes to mind is 'It takes a village to raise a child.' When the community pitches in as a whole, that community becomes stronger and more productive."

Today, Ehlers feels the program is more crucial than ever. "Birthday parties are becoming a luxury with more and more families having to cut back. Some children don’t have birthday parties at all, and I’m not sure if people realize that," she said.

Students from local participating schools provide gifts and the program welcomes anyone or school who would like to help out.

Thank you Antonia, for making birthdays such sweet celebrations for so many. You're truly Livin' Lime!

For more information on the Birthday Angels Program, contact Antonia at (650) 576-2828 or Executive Club Director of the Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club, Dan Dadoun at (650) 347-9891 Ext. 100