The Birthday Box

What's in the box: A donated birthday kit with new toys or gift cards, bakery or grocery gift cards, wrapping paper, candles, plates, napkins and decorations for a child aged 0 to 16.

The Birthday Box is not a subscription you can order for your own family. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in New Jersey that puts together "party in a box" packages and delivers them anonymously to children who might otherwise go without a birthday celebration. It works through partner organizations rather than directly with families, so parents cannot sign up to receive a box. The New Jersey headquarters serves North and Central New Jersey, and a Maryland division covers the Greater Baltimore area. Boxes are built from donated new, unopened toys and party supplies for kids from newborns to age 16. Donations also include bakery or grocery gift cards, wrapping paper, candles, plates, napkins and decorations. The group even reuses donated medium-sized cardboard boxes for deliveries. If you want to give back locally, it is an easy way to do it: you can donate money, gift cards or supplies. Right now, though, the New Jersey division says it is not taking toys or party supplies because the community has given so much. The site does not say how many children it serves or how funds are spent, so donors who want detailed impact figures should contact the team directly. It also only operates in two regions. If you want a birthday kit delivered to your own door, look elsewhere.