Latest news with #BirthdayinaBox
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Alcoa Pinjarra partners with local charity
Alcoa's Pinjarra Alumina Refinery has committed $10,000 to local not-for-profit organisation Bridge Builders. The partnership supports Bridge Builders' Backpack Buddies program, which helps ensure children facing hardship have access to nutritious weekend meals. Bridge Builders' School Program co-ordinator Leandri Cronje (left), Bridge Builders volunteers Craig Brierley, Rod Stuart and Bee Ann Jansons, and Alcoa's Heather Scott deliver the backpacks to Carcoola Primary School. Credit: Supplied Employees from the refinery's community relations team volunteered at Bridge Builders to help fill backpacks for Carcoola Primary School students. Carefully tailored to meet dietary needs and family sizes — some supporting up to six siblings — each backpack was filled with breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, fruit, milk and a loaf of bread, plus a personalised note to lift each child's spirits. Backpack Buddies schools program co-ordinator Leandri Cronje said Alcoa's support had enabled them to reach an extra 12 students who otherwise would have gone without. 'Alcoa's support goes beyond funding; their team brought incredible heart and energy when they joined us to pack the bags,' she said. 'It reminds us that Backpack Buddies is about so much more than food — it's about community, dignity, and hope.' Pinjarra Alumina Refinery manager Jodie Giraudo said Alcoa was committed to supporting the community and assisting young people through these types of partnerships. 'Our team was truly moved by the care and thought that goes into every backpack,' Ms Giraudo said. 'It's more than food, it's dignity, kindness and connection. Alcoa is proud to stand beside organisations like Bridge Builders that are making real, immediate differences in the lives of local children.' Bridge Builders CEO Kelly Hinder said partnerships like this built stronger communities and ensured no child went hungry. 'Local children deserve to feel safe, valued and supported,' she said. 'When local businesses — whether large corporations or small family-run enterprises — choose to invest in grassroots charities, it sends a powerful message of hope. Together we can do incredible things.' Backpack Buddies is one of several support initiatives run by Bridge Builders, which also runs a weekly community pantry, Birthday in a Box, and Gift of Christmas programs.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Enfield woman with special needs creates & donates ‘Birthdays in a Box' for those in need
ENFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — An 'amazing' young woman with Down syndrome has come up with a beautiful, generous project to help those in need celebrate their birthdays. 'It's so much fun, I love it, I meet these new friends there,' Morgan Lazzara of Enfield said. Last summer, she won a title in the national Miss Amazing pageant in Chicago. This event for women of all abilities has really helped the 22-year-old come into her own. Connecticut Families: North Haven family finds amazing time capsule from 1875 hidden under stairs 'Morgan had trouble with speech, and we had intervention with that. To see her speak on stage – I'm going to start to cry – it was actually amazing,' her mom, Christine, said. As part of her platform, Morgan created an incredible project. 'I love my birthdays and I want everybody to celebrate their birthdays, as well,' she said. So, she's putting together a 'Birthday in a Box' kit and donating 75 of them to local food pantries. 'We have a tablecloth. We have napkins and plates,' she said, putting together a kit which also includes a card, a banner, candles, sprinkles and of course, cake mix. And, here's a tip! 'We have a can of Sprite,' Morgan said, explaining that soda can be used in a cake mix in place of oil and an egg. That means there's nothing perishable in the kit. Morgan designed artwork that adorns each box. Flip over the cover and find a personalized message from Morgan herself. Folks donated tons of goods to help the young woman with Down syndrome achieve her goal. 'It's just to spread a little sunshine around the state,' Christine said, who is so proud of her daughter. Morgan is taking classes at community college and wants to become a cosmetologist or baker. She knows Morgan will continue to do good. 'Birthday in a Box' is just the beginning. 'Maybe after Miss Amazing, we continue this and do it every year and spread joy throughout Connecticut and wherever might need them,' Christine said. Morgan will deliver the birthday kits to food pantries by the end of June. She will be speaking about the project at the upcoming Miss Amazing pageant in Chicago this summer. Click here to learn more about Connecticut Miss Amazing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
