Preteen hosts birthday party to benefit Storks Nest
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, March 22, 2004
Emily Hamburger, 11, celebrated her birthday this year by asking friends to donated items to the Stork's Nest instead of giving her presents. The Stork's Nest is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income, high-risk pregnant women. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
It had all of the makings of a preteen girl's birthday party -- the cake, the hot dogs, the swimming.
Oh, yes, and baby, toddler and maternity items.
Emily Hamburger's 11th birthday party was a bit different than other traditional parties. Instead of gifts, party-goers were asked to bring new or gently used items which would benefit the Stork's Nest. The Stork's Nest is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income, high-risk pregnant women with prenatal health care.
"I thought this was a better idea than the usual birthday party," Emily said of this new approach to celebrating. "Besides, babies are born on birthdays so it just seemed right."
The daughter of Dr. Kevin and Cyndi Hamburger admitted to having some input from her mom as to choosing the recipient of the birthday gifts.
"This was just an opportunity to celebrate Emily's birthday in a different way," Cyndi explained. "We talked about getting together with her friends, but the fact that she really didn't need gifts."
"I think everybody pays more attention to the gifts at a party than the party," Emily added. "Birthdays are supposed to celebrate when you're born and not all of the stuff you got."
Once the decision was made on the type of celebration, invitations went out to the 24 fifth-grade girls at M.G. Clark Elementary School. The girls were invited to gather Feb. 13 at the AmericInn Pool Room, to bring a swimsuit and towel, the baby items, but no gifts for Emily; no candy or flowers either despite the fact her birthday is Feb. 14.
"I remember some of the girls wondering why I didn't want a present," she noted. "I just explained to them what we were doing and then they liked the idea."
Once the participants arrived at the party, the first thing they noticed was a crib.
"I asked the hotel if we could use one to put the presents in," Cyndi explained. "We thought that would be kind of fun."
Not all of the gifts were wrapped, which added to the "Oh, baby!" atmosphere of handling and passing around tiny shoes, adorable outfits, multi-sized diapers and other items.
"I was really surprised one girl gave us all of her Beanie Babies," Emily marveled.
"There were toys and a video and books and brand-name items and lotions and powders," Cyndi said before running out of breath. "Somebody brought two full bags of nice, used baby clothes."
Emily confessed she was not overlooked; almost everybody brought her a card and one girl slipped a very modest bracelet into a card.
At the other end of this generosity is the Stork's Nest, which received the call from Cyndi about the planned event.
"We were thrilled," said Elaine Graf, Resource Center coordinator. "Something like this helps us to restock our shelves and helps other people to learn about our program."
The Resource Center, located at the Siouxland District Health Department, serves families with infants and children up to age 5 within Woodbury County. Services include assessment of family strengths and needs, customized information and referral, short-term case management, and the Stork's Nest incentive store.
The store is structured so that women earn points for good health practices and exchange the points for items at the incentive store. Graf estimated last year the Resource Center served some 2,500 moms and children. For more details contact Graf at 279-6119 or go to www.woodburyiowa.com and check under Departments, then Siouxland District Health.
"It was kind of cool to go down there and see what they've got," Emily said. "You don't realize how much help you bring to others until then."
Plus it was another chance for Emily and her mom, and a new opportunity for Graf and staff members, to reexamine the booty from the party, celebrated so close to Valentine's Day.
Another holiday will have meaning for the agency as The Stork's Nest is planning its first fund-raiser in conjunction with Mother's Day. "Give a Gift of Blooms" features blooming shade or sun hanging baskets or potted geraniums for sale. Orders willbe taken through April 26.
Having had this first fund-raiser/birthday experience, Emily said she would recreate it in a moment for a future celebration.
"You get to help others," she said matter-of-factly.
Joanne Fox may be reached at (712) 293-4247 or joannefox@siouxcityjournal.com
VITA
Name: Emily Hamburger
Hometown: Sioux City
Education: fifth grader at M.G. Clark Elementary School
Professional: occasional baby-sitter
Personal: daughter of Dr. Kevin and Cyndi Hamburger, two younger sisters, Anna, 9 and Isabel 5
How she's making a difference: by segueing her birthday party into a fund-raiser for the Stork's Nest
Oh, yes, and baby, toddler and maternity items.
Emily Hamburger's 11th birthday party was a bit different than other traditional parties. Instead of gifts, party-goers were asked to bring new or gently used items which would benefit the Stork's Nest. The Stork's Nest is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income, high-risk pregnant women with prenatal health care.
"I thought this was a better idea than the usual birthday party," Emily said of this new approach to celebrating. "Besides, babies are born on birthdays so it just seemed right."
The daughter of Dr. Kevin and Cyndi Hamburger admitted to having some input from her mom as to choosing the recipient of the birthday gifts.
"This was just an opportunity to celebrate Emily's birthday in a different way," Cyndi explained. "We talked about getting together with her friends, but the fact that she really didn't need gifts."
"I think everybody pays more attention to the gifts at a party than the party," Emily added. "Birthdays are supposed to celebrate when you're born and not all of the stuff you got."
Once the decision was made on the type of celebration, invitations went out to the 24 fifth-grade girls at M.G. Clark Elementary School. The girls were invited to gather Feb. 13 at the AmericInn Pool Room, to bring a swimsuit and towel, the baby items, but no gifts for Emily; no candy or flowers either despite the fact her birthday is Feb. 14.
"I remember some of the girls wondering why I didn't want a present," she noted. "I just explained to them what we were doing and then they liked the idea."
Once the participants arrived at the party, the first thing they noticed was a crib.
"I asked the hotel if we could use one to put the presents in," Cyndi explained. "We thought that would be kind of fun."
Not all of the gifts were wrapped, which added to the "Oh, baby!" atmosphere of handling and passing around tiny shoes, adorable outfits, multi-sized diapers and other items.
"I was really surprised one girl gave us all of her Beanie Babies," Emily marveled.
"There were toys and a video and books and brand-name items and lotions and powders," Cyndi said before running out of breath. "Somebody brought two full bags of nice, used baby clothes."
Emily confessed she was not overlooked; almost everybody brought her a card and one girl slipped a very modest bracelet into a card.
At the other end of this generosity is the Stork's Nest, which received the call from Cyndi about the planned event.
"We were thrilled," said Elaine Graf, Resource Center coordinator. "Something like this helps us to restock our shelves and helps other people to learn about our program."
The Resource Center, located at the Siouxland District Health Department, serves families with infants and children up to age 5 within Woodbury County. Services include assessment of family strengths and needs, customized information and referral, short-term case management, and the Stork's Nest incentive store.
The store is structured so that women earn points for good health practices and exchange the points for items at the incentive store. Graf estimated last year the Resource Center served some 2,500 moms and children. For more details contact Graf at 279-6119 or go to www.woodburyiowa.com and check under Departments, then Siouxland District Health.
"It was kind of cool to go down there and see what they've got," Emily said. "You don't realize how much help you bring to others until then."
Plus it was another chance for Emily and her mom, and a new opportunity for Graf and staff members, to reexamine the booty from the party, celebrated so close to Valentine's Day.
Another holiday will have meaning for the agency as The Stork's Nest is planning its first fund-raiser in conjunction with Mother's Day. "Give a Gift of Blooms" features blooming shade or sun hanging baskets or potted geraniums for sale. Orders willbe taken through April 26.
Having had this first fund-raiser/birthday experience, Emily said she would recreate it in a moment for a future celebration.
"You get to help others," she said matter-of-factly.
Joanne Fox may be reached at (712) 293-4247 or joannefox@siouxcityjournal.com
VITA
Name: Emily Hamburger
Hometown: Sioux City
Education: fifth grader at M.G. Clark Elementary School
Professional: occasional baby-sitter
Personal: daughter of Dr. Kevin and Cyndi Hamburger, two younger sisters, Anna, 9 and Isabel 5
How she's making a difference: by segueing her birthday party into a fund-raiser for the Stork's Nest
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