HERE IN THE U.S., MORE THAN A MILLION ADULTS RELY ON HOMELESS SHELTERS – AND UPWARDS OF 2 MILLION CHILDREN WILL BE HOMELESS AT SOME POINT THIS YEAR.
AND, AS POPE FRANCIS SHOWS US, THE LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS.
IN WISCONSIN, A SEVENTH GRADER FOUND THIS OUT FIRSTHAND, WHEN SHE LEARNED THAT NOT EVERYONE GETS A BIRTHDAY PARTY. SHE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THE CHARITY LIA HAILE STARTED HAS ALREADY BEEN RECOGNIZED BY LOCAL POLITICIANS – AND, NOW, WE’RE PRESENTING HER WITH THIS WEEK’S A-PLUS!
AT THE AGE OF 13, LIA HAILE--- HAS A UNIQUE HOBBY, WHICH INVOLVES PUTTING TOGETHER GIFT BASKETS, AND THROWING BIRTHDAY PARTIES... FOR KIDS WHO LIVE AT A HOMELESS SHELTER, CALLED HOPE HOUSE.
Lia Haile/Hopeful Hearts Club "Five years ago I met a little boy in the shelter whose birthday it was the day that my mom and I were supposed to drop off donations, but I felt bad because we didn't have anything for him. So then after that I just kind of asked how I could get more involved or how he could have a birthday party and it just kind of spread from there."
SINCE THEN, LIA'S HOSTED MORE THAN 50 CELEBRATIONS FOR CHILDREN, AS PART OF HER "HOPEFUL HEARTS CLUB." EACH KID GETS A CAKE, A SMALL GIFT, AND PARTY DECORATIONS.
Lia Haile/Hopeful Hearts Club "The kid gets a stuffed animal"
PLUS, NEW ARRIVALS RECEIVE A WELCOME BAG... WHICH INCLUDES A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ITEMS, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DONATED THRU LIA'S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. SHE HOPES TO INSPIRE OTHERS.
Lia Haile/Hopeful Hearts Club "Feels really great to know that I'm able to positively help out in my community. And it's really great living in this community because everyone's very giving and very supportive."
FOR BRINGING BIRTHDAY JOY TO A LOCAL SHELTER, LIA HAILE GETS A VERY CELEBRATORY A PLUS!
Instructional Links
Reference Work Article: EBSCOhost, Points of View, Homelessness: An Overview | May need to sign in.
Website Article: DOGOnews, Birthday Party Project Brings Kids Joy One Party At A Time | Discusses group that gives birthday parties for homeless children.
Website Article: KidsHealth, Be a Volunteer | Ideas on how to help people through volunteering.
Lesson Plan: Learning to Give, Day in the Life of a Homeless Person