Here is a unique organization invented by volunteers working in homeless shelters. Their premise was simple: every child should have a birthday party and be celebrated as special, and children in homeless shelters are especially deserving. There are many reasons why it doesn’t happen — staff overload and distraction, single parents so burdened financially and emotionally they are unable to celebrate anything, and sometimes even consider it better if the children don’t think about it either. In 2002, three volunteers decided to do something about this, and starting with $500, they gave their first party for 15 homeless children at the Second Step (Cat’01) shelter in Newton. It was a great success, and more followed. In 2004 they incorporated, serving 200 children in 10 shelters. This year, more than 300 volunteers, from children to seniors, celebrated 450 children in 32 Greater Boston shelters — on a budget of $25,000. When Birthday Wishes signs on with a shelter, it guarantees that every child who lives there will enjoy a birthday party. Costs are kept low through in-kind donations, for party supplies (iParty) and gifts (Cradles-to-Crayons, Cat’03). Wouldn’t you enjoy giving these children some happiness?