Sarah Fagerland runs the Minot chapter of Box of Balloons.

Box of Balloons brings birthday fun to kids who might not otherwise get to celebrate a birthday.

Sarah Fagerland, who runs the recently launched Minot chapter, said grant funding, donations and volunteers help pack boxes filled with everything a child will need to have a happy celebration.

Box of Balloons receives referrals from organizations such as social services or charity groups or schools that have reason to know that a family could use some help. Suggestions do not come from individual families, but Fagerland said she can refer families to organizations that will help.

Box of Balloons recently received a $5,000 grant donation from the North Dakota Community Foundation. It also relies on help from other funding sources and from volunteers who help gather items or pack boxes.

“The grant money will help when we have box requests with a short turnaround time,” said Fagerland. “Sometimes we only get a day or two notice and that’s not enough time to reach out to our volunteers. When that happens, I grab from items I keep on hand and/or go shopping for items for the box. Also, at times not all items on our lists get picked up by volunteers. I grab from our on-hand supplies or shop to fill the gaps for those as well. That way all kids will get a filled box.”

The nonprofit focuses primarily on kids who are about to celebrate their first birthdays up to about age 12.

Birthday boxes are filled with items such as cupcakes or cake, paper plates and napkins, party favors, a party activity and a present for the child’s parents to give the child.

Birthday boxes might be themed according to a child’s age and birthday wishes.

“We have and can do boxes for older kids as long as we have the availability to do so with volunteers and funds,” said Fagerland. “But as an organization, we are set up for ages 1-12.”

Box of Balloons is a national organization with chapters in different cities. There is also a chapter in Fargo.

Fagerland said there is a continuing need for this sort of help.

More information about the Minot chapter and how to help can be found at the organization’s Facebook page, at boxofballoons.org, or by email at boxofballoons.minotnd@gmail.com or by phone at 721-8124.