Janna Homan happily declares, “I have the best volunteer position at Interfaith Outreach!” As Birthday Shelf Coordinator, her efforts bring big smiles to the faces of many children celebrating birthdays and their families. Janna’s responsibilities include managing a large inventory of birthday gift donations and preparing them for families with children. “Before COVID-19, families were able to select the gifts for their children from the Birthday Shelf. Given the new health-related protocols, we now select and wrap the gifts.”
Every birthday basket Janna packs contains: a hand-made fleece blanket or stuffed animal, a toy or two, a book or educational item, and cake mix with frosting, birthday plates, napkins and candles, for special family celebrations. For Janna, “It’s like working at a toy store or being Santa’s helper!”
Janna is grateful that her position is both hands-on and fun. “Each time I handle a beautiful fleece blanket that I know someone made with great care, or when I select a toy that I know a donor thoughtfully shopped for, I feel proud to be a part of a community that is so generous.”
Janna, thank you for bringing birthday joy to so many children in our community!