For being not that far away, the [Georgetown Divide] is pretty isolated,” says Jillian Firth, branch manager of the Georgetown Library. “When it comes to having services here, they’re greatly needed.” Encompassing several towns between the Middle and South Forks of the American River, the rural Divide is home to many low-income families. When Firth and her children were brainstorming a way to give back, they jumped from Christmas toy drives to fund-raisers for the other kid-favorite day of the year—birthdays—and soon, the family set up Birthday Buddies. “The first month we distributed bags was August of 2007. We had four kids signed up, and I was so excited,” Firth recalls.

Dedicated volunteers decorate and fill the bags with cake mix, frosting, balloons, party decorations, books and educational toys. “The parent then has everything they need to put a party on for their kid,” says Firth. Volunteers call ahead of time to find out about the child’s current interests and offer to make deliveries to parents who are unable to come pick up the bags. Helping kids celebrate their special day promotes nurturing and stable home environments—while also being really fun. 

Eli Brady and Athalia Martin

 Now with 170 kids signed up, most often qualified via WIC and Head Start, Birthday Buddies has earned an esteemed place in the Divide. “This community never ceases to amaze me. They are so supportive,” Firth says. “In the beginning, there were times when I thought, ‘Can I keep this going?’” A couple of times, the fund’s account dipped to fifty dollars or less and any toys they could afford were stockpiled in Firth’s bedroom. “At one point, my husband said, ‘Is this all going to stay here?’”

Fortunately, Georgetown Mini Storage provided a space for the toys and goods, while local churches held their own independent fund-raisers and donated all the proceeds. As more volunteers joined, Birthday Buddies perfected their own fund-raising efforts. In the spring and fall, volunteers post up in Mar Val Food Store behind big tables laden with goods like cake mixes and candles. Participants pick up the items they want to donate, continue shopping, and then deposit them in the donation bins outside. Every August they host an event in the Garden Valley Community Park featuring live music, kid-friendly booths and handcrafted items.

“I’ve been there when other parents have gotten their bags, and you see tears of relief,” says Melissa Wilbur, a mother of three boys who lives in Cool. With her eldest two boys on the autism spectrum, her family has to make constant trips to different cities for their services, and the gas expenses, plus the medical copayments, add up. The Birthday Buddies program became a bright spot for the family. “The community really pulls together. It’s a team effort,” Wilbur says. “It’s been a blessing in a bag to say the least.”

As the program continues to grow, Firth hopes to become a resource for anyone starting similar programs in their communities.

Article by Dayana Stockdale // Photos by Dante Fontana

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