Connecticut

Zerach is a freshman at Greenwich High School. He plays for the Freshman Soccer Team and Concert Orchestra at his school. Zerach loves making music, and aspires to be a professional musician one day. Zerach also has a little brother who he loves very much, so he cannot believe that some kids don't receive gifts on their birthdays. He is excited to be helping his community in such a fun and interactive way. Zerach's chapter provides birthday bags for children through the Salvation Army of Stamford, CT.

Introducing Annmarie, The Birthday Giving Program’s Stamford, Connecticut chapter representative. She provides birthday bags to children at the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford.

Kat is an associate director for an NYC advertising agency. After living in Brooklyn for 4 years, she moved to Stamford, CT in 2021 to live with her boyfriend. She loves to travel, watch sports, and go to concerts in her free time. Kat also loves to give back to her community and is excited to be a part of The Birthday Giving Program! Her chapter provides birthday bags to children at Open Doors.

Laura lives in Stamford, Connecticut and is excited to celebrate those in need on their birthdays! Her chapter provides birthday bags for kids to the Person to Person Food Pantry in Stamford. 

Lydia is a rising senior at the University of Connecticut on track to earn her psychology degree. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and working with kids! Lydia has been working with young children for the last 7 years and has a clear passion for making their days just a little brighter. She provides birthday bags to the children at Kids in Crisis.

Meet Gwen Baker from the New England town of Westport, CT. She is a retired publicist and mom of three daughters. She was also a board member of Homes with Hope which helps find permanent housing for the homeless in Westport.  In addition, her family is very active in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation since two of her family members suffer from these diseases. They are determined to help raise funds to find a cure for all afflicted by IBD. She is providing gift bags to children through the Person-to-Person food pantry.

There is nothing more rewarding for Karen than time spent helping others. She is an avid birder, enjoys creating photo books, can lose track of time researching her ancestral roots, and above all, looks forward to spending time with family and friends. Karen loves celebrating birthdays and her chapter serves senior citizens at Friendship House - A Way Home.

Kim lives in Wilmington, Delaware and feels blessed to be connected with Family Promise of Northern New Castle County that provides transitional housing for women and children leaving abusive situations. She is a longtime IT Project Manager, a Navy Veteran, HBCU grad, fitness junkie, daughter, auntie, best friend, beloved wife, child of God, and most importantly, Mom to two  handsome teenage boys! As an only child, Kim grew up having the best birthdays, so she is excited to be able to celebrate someone on their birthday.  

Amber and her mom Lena are native New Yorkers who currently reside in Delaware. Amber is a paralegal and aspiring law student. Lena is a retired bariatrics manager. Both love to travel and help others. Birthdays are important to them so they want to make them special for others. Their chapter provides birthday bags to kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Newark.

Luis and Michelle enjoy serving others together.  As a married couple, their birthdays are in the same month, five day apart! Luis and Michelle love to celebrate others and create hope. Their chapter provides birthday bags to teens at the Mary Mother of Hope House.

Meet Katie and Phat, her little Persian cat. Katie is a dental student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. She has lived in four different states before moving to Maryland. Katie enjoys volunteering because it gives her the opportunity to help the community no matter where she lives. As a part of this organization, Katie is very excited to prepare gift bags for people. Katie and Phat's chapter provides gift bags to children at the Bea Gaddy Family Center Inc.

Introducing Sharlise, The Birthday Giving Program's Bowie, Maryland chapter representative. Her chapter provides gift bags to children at the Children's National Hospital. 

Introducing Phoenix, The Birthday Giving Program’s Damascus, Maryland chapter representative. Phoenix provides birthday bags to children at Damascus Help Inc.

Meet the mother and daughter duo, Kia and Kendra Isaacs, The Birthday Giving Program’s Chapter Representatives of Owings Mills, Maryland. Kia is a Middle School Assistant Principal and Kendra is a graduate student at Shenandoah University pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health. They are both passionate about wellness, social emotional development and community service. They are excited to be a part of this journey as Chapter Representatives and this blessing to have an impact on the lives of others. Kia and Kendra's chapter provides birthday bags to children through the Beth El Church Food Pantry!

CharNae Brown is a college student at Morgan State University pursuing her degree in Construction Management. She loves working with children and volunteering to help them in any way she can. CharNae is excited to participate in The Birthday Giving Program because she loves the chance to make  children feel special on their birthdays. Her chapter provides gift bags to children through the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Franklin Square.

Angelica Wilson is a 33 year old mom of 5 (2 biological and 3 bonus children). She is currently engaged and soon to be married this fall. Angelica works as an Assistant Branch Manager at Spectra Credit Union. She loves helping others and giving back to the community. She also loves to involve her kids  when helping others so that they understand the importance of giving back. Angelica's chapter provides birthday bags to children at the Children's National Hospital.

Norma is a 43-year-old mother of four and grandmother of three fur babies. She's been in the healthcare space for 20 years and enjoys volunteering at different programs in her community. Norma's chapter provides birthday bags to kids at The Homeless Outreach. 

Meet Gwen Baker from the New England town of Westport, CT. She is a retired publicist and mom of three daughters. She was also a board member of Homes with Hope which helps find permanent housing for the homeless in Westport.  In addition, her family is very active in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation since two of her family members suffer from these diseases. They are determined to help raise funds to find a cure for all afflicted by IBD. She is providing gift bags to children through the Person-to-Person food pantry.

Rachel is a Junior at Sherwood High School, where she plays Varsity field hockey and is involved in various clubs and community service projects. Birthdays have always been meaningful to Rachel and she is excited to be part of an organization that celebrates self-worth and brings joy to others on their special day. Her chapter provides birthday bags to children through the Germantown Boys & Girls Club.

Laura Sawyer Messing is the Owner and Creative Director of Design Invasion, an award-winning brand development and design agency in Burlington, Massachusetts. She is the reigning Mrs. Burlington and held the title of USOA's Mrs. Massachusetts in 2020. Growing up, birthdays were always a big deal in her family; she finds it heartbreaking to think that people might not be celebrated on their special days which is why it's so important to her to be a part of The Birthday Giving Program. Laura is supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Woburn and the People Helping People Burlington Food Pantry. 

Bethany and Kiley Layne are a mother daughter team, representing the Derry, NH chapter of The Birthday Giving Program.  Bethany is a school physical therapist and Kiley is a 7th grader.  Both enjoy camping, singing, theater, and participating in Girl Scouts (Kiley as a Cadette and Bethany as her Troop’s leader).  They are providing birthday bags to the Derry Boys & Girls Club.

Renee is a single mom to an awesome 13 year old. She works as a talent scout for a technology company and also works a shift at an emergency veterinary clinic. Renee loves to be creative and even spent over 10 years as a cake decorator. She is excited to work with The Birthday Giving Program to bring some fun birthday bags to kids in her area! Her chapter provides birthday bags to kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua.

Introducing Gabrielle, The Birthday Giving Program's Manchester, New Hampshire chapter representative. Her chapter provides birthday bags for children at The Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.

Meet Sanya and Sheena, The Birthday Giving Program's New Jersey chapter representatives! Sanya is a freshman at Rutgers University and Sheena is a freshman in high school. They both play multiple instruments and play in the orchestra as well as at local nursing homes. They are passionate about music, art, sports, and volunteer work. Having memorable birthdays themselves, they are passionate about giving others the same birthday experiences! Sanya and Sheena’s chapter serves several local organizations in the Hillsborough area.

Aishwarya manages the platform operations for a sustainable apparel company based in NYC. Aishwarya is a daily meditation practitioner and is very passionate about prioritizing mental and physical health. In her free time, she likes to travel and hike up in the mountains. Aishwarya loves The Birthday Giving Program because she can be part of a like minded community that brings joy to those in need. Her chapter provides birthday bags to children through the Boys & Girls Club of Hudson County. 

Introducing Milone, The Birthday Giving Program's Mountainside, New Jersey chapter representative. His chapter provides gift bags to seniors at Mountainside Skilled Nursing and Rehab. 

Introducing Tracey, The Birthday Giving Program's Ballston Spa, New York chapter representative. Her chapter provides birthday bags for veterans at the Guardian House and teens at Safe Inc. of Schenectady.

Meet the mother-daughter duo, Frances and Stephanie Paloscio, The Birthday Giving Program’s chapter representatives of Long Island, New York. Frances is a massage therapist and former dental assistant. Stephanie is a Princeton graduate who works with high school students to help them get into college. They are both passionate about wellness and community service. They used to work with kids and families at homeless shelters on Long Island. Frances and Stephanie are excited to join this organization and provide birthday bags to children through the Long Island Cares Facility!  

Reese is a 9th grader at Harrison High School, and is also on the Harrison debate team. She enjoys participating in volunteer activities, babysitting, and spending time with her friends and family. Reese has been volunteering with The Birthday Giving Program for the past three years and her chapter is partnered with a branch of the Salvation Army in New York!  

Introducing Kendra, The Birthday Giving Program's Chester, Pennsylvania chapter representative. Her chapter provides gift bags to children through Wesley House.

Introducing Patricia, The Birthday Giving Program's Chester, Pennsylvania chapter representative. Her chapter provides birthday bags to children at the Family Management Center Shelter.

Introducing Sharon, The Birthday Giving Program's Lansdale, Pennsylvania chapter representative. Sharon's chapter provides birthday bags to children through Living Hope International. 

Aleka is an incoming junior at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. Her chapter provides birthday bags for kids at Youth Services Inc.

Introducing Natalie, The Birthday Giving Program’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania chapter representative. She provides birthday bags to children at the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia.

Introducing Gretchen, The Birthday Giving Program’s Warminster, Pennsylvania chapter representative. She provides birthday bags to teens at the Valley Youth House Bucks Shelter.

Meet Lisa Marsteller, her husband Michael, and their daughter Gianna.  Michael and Lisa will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary next year. Their daughter, Gianna is 15 years old and a Sophomore at Upper Moreland High School.  Michael is the Director of Human Resources for Congoleum Corporation.  Lisa currently works for ADT as a Human Resource Generalist.  They wanted to volunteer for this charity to help children. Their birthday program chapter provides birthday bags to children through the Seeds of Hope Food Pantry at Chelten Church! 

Introducing Andres, The Birthday Giving Program's Providence, Rhode Island chapter representative. His chapter provides birthday bags for children at The Izzy Foundation.

Introducing mother and daughter, Amy and Ella, The Birthday Giving Program’s Saunderstown, Rhode Island chapter representatives. They provide birthday bags to children at Lucy’s Hearth. 

When Chloe is not donating birthday bags, she loves to be outside in nature hiking, hugging trees, and smelling flowers! She currently serves as an Americorps member for a non-profit. Chloe's chapter provides birthday bags for kids to the Housing Resource Center.

Lindsey is a dog mom to an amazing lab named Foster. When not working, you’ll find her at the dog park with Foster, hiking, traveling, and volunteering. Lindsey is a huge fan of birthdays and believes that everyone should be celebrated on their special day. Her chapter provides birthday bags to the Boys & Girls Club in Burlington.