Rather than receiving presents and toys on his birthday, 5-year-old Finley asked friends and family to bring a new pair of shoes that would be donated to Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® as a part of the Buckner Shoes Birthday Club.
 
Finley’s mom, Rebecca Hand, is no stranger to Buckner International. She serves as the director of volunteer engagement for Buckner Children and Family Services. Her and her family are always looking for ways to include their children in volunteer opportunities too.
 
The choice to host a Buckner Shoes Birthday Club party was an easy “yes” for Finley’s birthday celebration.
 
“There are few volunteer opportunities for children out there, so this was a great chance to incorporate gratitude and service into an already momentous occasion,” Hand said. “We have been blessed beyond measure and want to start instilling in Finley that love of service toward others in place of our own material interests.”
 
Buckner Shoes provided everything needed to celebrate with a “Birthday in a Box.”  All families who participate in Birthday Club receive a package containing a T-shirt, confetti, posters, invitations, cupcake toppers and a certificate.
 
Finley’s friends and family were more than happy to participate in the Buckner Shoes-themed birthday party. Many said it was an easy way to bring a gift they were certain would make an impact beyond the party.
 
“Birthday Club was a seamless way to enhance the gift-buying experience and lots of parents told me it was so impactful for their kids to pick out the shoes with them and talk about who would be wearing them, possibly on the other side of the world,” Hand shared.
 
“It sparks a lot of great conversation with family and friends. It’s also a bonus we don’t have even more toys filling up the corners of our home.”
 
The Buckner Shoes Birthday Club provides children and adults of all ages a way to rally their family and friends together to provide new shoes to vulnerable children and families both internationally and domestically.

It’s easy to get started too. All you have to do is sign up for Birthday Club online. After registration, a Buckner Shoes team member will reach out and provide you with everything you need including the special “Birthday in a Box.”
 
Following your party, shoes can be dropped off or shipped to the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid in Dallas, where they will be sorted and distributed to vulnerable children and families.
 
Birthdays come every year, and you can make your birthday an impactful one this year.