Two siblings honored for throwing birthday parties

Two siblings honored for
throwing birthday parties

EAST BRUNSWICK — A brother and sister who helped their family begin the Happy Birthday Foundation, which brings parties to children in homeless shelters, were both expected to be commended in resolutions from the Board of Education at its meeting tonight.

Craig Wolsten, 13, and his sister, Leah, 11, both students at the Hammarskjold Middle School, have received monetary rewards for their volunteer services recently, according to the school board.

Craig received a $5,000 award, and has been named an Angel Soft Angel in Action by Georgia-Pacific for his work with homeless children, and will be one of the company’s representatives in a national advertising campaign starting Oct. 20.

Leah won a $5,000 scholarship award from Kohl’s Department Stores.

In 2000, the two helped their mother, Stacey, start the nonprofit organization that now holds birthday parties for children in shelters in Middlesex, Monmouth, Essex and Somerset counties. From birthday cakes, presents and goody bags to games, puppet shows and the Happy Birthday song, the family, including their father, Howard, and younger brother, Ian, and several other volunteers try to make each party special. Their work involves soliciting gift donations, organizing toy drives, wrapping presents, planning party logistics and hosting the parties.

"Even though it takes a lot of time, I love doing it because I like to help other people," Leah said. "When we drive up to the shelters, the kids come up to us and hug us and shout, ‘The birthday kids are here!’ It is really rewarding to know that I can make a difference in their lives."

Margaret Haas, Leah’s guidance counselor, nominated her for the Kohl’s Kids Who Care contest.

"She has had the tenacity to see her ideas grow into an expanding nonprofit organization," Haas said. "She does not do this out of a sense of obligation or for recognition, but simply because she truly loves to help others."

Leah is among nine youths nationally who won the $5,000 scholarship for post-secondary education from Kohl’s. The nine youths contributed to their local communities and were selected from 76 regional winners in two age categories.

Nearly 9,000 youths were nominated in this year’s program.