Box of Balloons brings birthdays to families in need

From its origins in Sun Prairie to its chapters in states from California to Connecticut, Box of Balloons delivers birthday parities to children in need across the country.

Nicole Moll, originally from Poynette, Wisconsin, founded the non-profit organization nearly four years ago to provide birthday parties to children experiencing poverty, according to her statement on the organization’s website.

Chalk art related to the organization. (Photo used with permission from Jennifer Kirchmeier/Box of Balloons)

Chapters of the organization partner with domestic abuse shelters, food pantries, elementary schools and others to deliver party supplies and gifts to families requesting a party. The supplies are packed in boxes and handed off to a partner, who delivers it to the family of the child.

Box of Balloons currently has 21 chapters across 12 states. The west and east Madison branches are home to over 300 volunteers, Moll said. The east side branch delivers 12 to 15 boxes of birthday supplies each month - the most of any branch.

In Box of Balloons’ first month, Moll said that she sent only two boxes to one school, and expansion was not on her mind.

“I didn’t have a grand plan or a mission - even if we could do one party, it would be worth it,” Moll said.

Many people from various organizations are involved in fulfilling party requests, from the time a box is requested to its delivery.

Once a branch volunteer leader receives a birthday request from a partner organization, volunteers are asked to fulfill them. The volunteers buy cupcakes, balloons and other decorations, a party game and a gift centered around a given theme specific to each party request.

The branch leader then packs everything into a box and delivers it to a partner organization or social worker - without ever contacting the child or their family. The idea behind this is that the child’s parents can prepare the party and give the gift from themselves, empowering the parents as well as granting kids’ wishes.

Box of Balloons is close to meeting its yearly goals, Moll said. Eight new chapters have opened out of 12 hoped for, and the organization has already raised $4,000 of its $5,000 pledge year goal.

The winner of the chalk art contest from Poynette, Wisconsin (Shelley Kaschinske/Box of Balloons)On June 20, the organization began an event called Chalk it Up, which encourages kids and adults to make chalk art related to Box of Balloons. The event runs through August 11 with chances to earn gift cards and other prizes.

Later events include a fundraiser at Revel, a workshop in downtown Madison, on July 23 and the annual Box of Balloons Birthday Bash in November. The organization celebrates its birthday in early November with a family friendly, themed party which also functions as a promotional tool and fundraiser.