Delivering birthday surprises

As a kid, Tiffany Frye never sent out invitations for her birthday. There wasn't enough money to throw a party, put up pretty decorations, or buy presents. Instead, Tiffany marked her special day the same way every year, with lasagna topped off with chocolate cake and chocolate frosting.

"I was a kiddo who knew my parents couldn't afford presents. I didn't want to make them feel bad, so I would say I didn't want anything for my birthday," said Tiffany Frye.

When Tiffany became a mom, she vowed never to let her kids experience the heartache of going without a birthday celebration. It's a promise she's keeping to her family and now, to the entire Inland Northwest. In 2017, Tiffany started a Kindness for a Cause, a non-profit with the mission to bring happiness and blessings into kids and parents' lives throughout the area.

"I was one of those kids, I'm now helping," said Tiffany.

Every month, Tiffany asks families in need to send a request through her Facebook page for a birthday blessing bag— packed with toys, balloons, and cake mix. Tiffany curates the birthday bags for each specific child, right down to the frosting. Tiffany once spent hours driving to several stores trying to track down a child's favorite chocolate cream cheese frosting.

"If it's going to be special, I want it to be something they like and a toy they've always wanted," said Tiffany.

Tiffany shops year-round, often spending her own money, to make sure she always has a large selection of the best toys. The birthday bags also include oil and eggs— so there's no reason why a child can't have a birthday cake. Tiffany's attention to detail makes every delivery extra special.

"The feeling you get when I see their smiles. I know that they know that they matter. It feels so good," said Tiffany.

Tiffany delivers birthday blessings to a couple of dozen families a month, depending on the need and donations. Kindness for a Cause also sponsors families during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Recently, Tiffany set up a little library and pantry outside her home for neighborhood kids. Her heart for others doesn't stop there. At work, she's an ICU nurse at Holy Family Hospital.

"I think it must be a personality thing. As a nurse, I'm a servant leader, and love helping by serving others," said Tiffany.

After all these years and making sure every child feels special on their birthday, this mom still has never had a party of her own. Tiffany wouldn't have it any other way.

"The greatest joy is giving. It feeds my soul in a way that nothing else ever could," said Tiffany.


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