NEWS

National Nonprofit The Birthday Party Project Teams Up With RHCB and DSE to Bring Birthday Joy to Children & Families Nationwide

Alongside the nationwide celebrations of reading and Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2, Random House Children’s Books, together with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, will partner with The Birthday Party Project, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy to children experiencing homelessness through the magic of birthday celebrations. For every donation made to The Birthday Party Project beginning 2/28 and during the month of March, Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises will donate a Dr. Seuss book to the organization to be given as birthday gifts to children via their network of agency partners nationwide.

Paige Chenault, Founder and CEO of The Birthday Party Project, says: “It’s no secret that the pandemic has posed particular challenges for kids from all walks of life, which has made The Birthday Party Project’s mission of spreading joy to kids experiencing homelessness across the country all the more meaningful. Being able to bring the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to our continued birthday celebrations is extremely exciting. We’re honored and appreciative to have the support and generosity of Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books, both storied and beloved brands that have held a special place in so many children’s lives for decades.”

The new partnership began on February 3, with a special Dr. Seuss–themed birthday party held at the National Center for Children and Families (NCCF), one of The Birthday Party Project’s agency partners in Bethesda, MD, and books were given to all children who attended.

Dr. Sheryl Brissett Chapman, Executive Director of NCCF, says: “NCCF’s partnership with The Birthday Party Project, Random House Children’s Books, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises to provide our very first in-person birthday party to homeless children, post-pandemic, is absolutely unimaginable in its gift to these young people and their families. This is a very critical time in their life journeys, and as both the executive director of this agency and a grandmother who has been reading Dr. Seuss to her babies for generations, I am humbled and appreciative.”

The collaboration will continue into the month of March and extend year-round, with Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss Enterprises working with The Birthday Party Project to provide them and their agencies:

• A selection of Dr. Seuss books as birthday presents for “birthday kids” at The Birthday Party Project’s agency partner-hosted parties, as well as a library of Dr. Seuss books and an oversized Happy Birthday to You! book to use for story times and parties at participating agencies.
• An exclusive promotional printing of Dr. Seuss’s Happy Birthday to You! activity booklets for a year’s worth of “Birthdays in a Bag,” a program started by The Birthday Party Project during the pandemic to keep celebrations going without in-person events.
• A financial donation to The Birthday Party Project from both organizations.

Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, says: “Promoting literacy and education is one of our core values at Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and we’re always looking for like-minded organizations to help bring the joy of reading to as many children as possible. When we learned about The Birthday Party Project’s mission, they seemed like the perfect partner to help us give books, support, and resources directly to the children who need it most in an engaging, Seussian way. We look forward to working with them throughout the year and ensuring that the children served by The Birthday Party Project feel special and celebrated on their birthdays.”

The Birthday Party Project was founded to help solve the problem that over 2.5 million children experiencing homelessness are likely to miss out on being celebrated on their birthday. Through partnerships with shelters and transitional living facilities across the country, trained volunteer Birthday Enthusiasts prepare monthly birthday celebrations. During the pandemic, they pivoted to providing “Birthdays in a Bag”—including age-appropriate games, activities, party décor, and more—to make sure all children continue to feel celebrated in the pandemic.

Donations can be made to The Birthday Party Project at thebirthdaypartyproject.org.