Birthday Box Foundation – Delivering Hope, One Birthday at a Time
By: Emily Buss, Executive Director of Birthday Box Foundation
At Birthday Box Foundation, we believe every child deserves to feel special on their birthday, no matter their circumstances. Whether a child is living in a shelter, spending time in the hospital, or navigating hardship at home, a birthday should still feel like a celebration. That’s why we create and deliver customized “birthday boxes” filled with everything a child needs to celebrate: cake-making supplies, decorations, party items, and thoughtful gifts — including a want, a need, something to read, and a STEM/STEAM activity.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to bring joy, hope, and a sense of normalcy to children experiencing hardship, through the magic of a birthday celebration they might otherwise go without. Our Birthday In A Box program provides at risk youth and food insecure families with a sense of normalcy and belonging. Since our founding, we’ve partnered with schools, shelters, hospitals, and social service agencies throughout Utah to make birthdays brighter for kids who might otherwise go without.
“What began as a hyper-local nonprofit serving families in Eagle Mountain has grown into a multi-county, award-winning organization — all thanks to the support of our volunteers, donors, and local businesses. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the networking, business advising, and encouragement from the Valley Crossroads Chamber and the mentorship of fellow nonprofit leaders like Camille Hawkins of The Wellness Farm Foundation and Katie Bunnell of Live Your Dream Foundation,” says co-founder Emily Buss.
What sets Birthday Box apart is our hands-on, personalized approach. Each box is curated with the child’s age, preferences, and needs in mind. We don’t just send out generic supplies— we create meaningful, memorable experiences, providing a sense of normalcy during the most challenging times. We provide everything a family would possibly need to celebrate childhood birthdays, wherever they call home, in addition to providing books and educational activities. Because all children should have access to enriching and engaging educational opportunities.
"My son is 12 and smart! He knows things have been tight and he was not expecting much! He was surprised and a little emotional when he saw his gifts. He said it was one of his best birthdays. Thank you!" – Dad of a Birthday Box recipient
And we can’t do it alone. Community support is the heartbeat of our work. From corporate donation drives to volunteer packing parties, local businesses and neighbors make it possible to reach more children each year. One of our newest partnerships, for example, connects large families we serve with experiences and tickets to events they might never otherwise access. This kind of collaboration reminds us that when we come together, we can create lasting joy.
Right now, our biggest need is finding sponsors to help us secure a dedicated delivery van, a critical step in reaching more families as we have several community partners across Utah County and SLC waiting for our services. As demand for birthday boxes continues to grow, a large vehicle will allow us to expand our delivery range and serve more children quickly, and improve efficiency.
We’re honored to be part of the Valley Crossroads Chamber and to be surrounded by mission-driven businesses that care about the community. If you’d like to get involved, whether by donating, volunteering, or sponsoring a birthday (or a van!) — we’d love to hear from you.
Because every child deserves a reason to smile on their special day.
Learn more or get involved at: www.birthdayboxfoundation.org
