Third-grader packs 'birthday boxes' for classmates who can't afford to celebrate their own birthdays

A 9-year-girl from Kentucky is giving 'birthday boxes to her classmates so they get to celebrate their birthday. Bella Smith had learned that many of the students in her school didn't have birthday parties after one of her friends said that his family couldn't afford to hold one. This was over two years ago when she was in third grade, and that's when she decided to launch "Bella's Boxes" to ensure none of her classmates do not miss out on celebrating their birthdays. Bella attends the Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School in Kentucky, where a majority of the students do not come from privileged backgrounds. “Not all people have as much as I do. I want to share a little bit of my birthday with them,” said Bella Smith, reported Lex 18. 

"The school she attends is a Title 1 school, which means 80% of the population here is impoverished, so we have students that struggle with a lot of things," said Marlana Evans, Bella's mother, who also teaches at her school, reported Good Morning America. Bella seeks donations of balloons, cake mix, and more to help fellow students at her school to celebrate their birthdays. Marlana Evans added that the Wyan-Pine Grove school also has a 'backpack club' that sends supplies to students that need it. Bella's "birthday boxes" usually contain cake mix, balloons, icing, sprinkles. She distributes them to students who might need it through the school's Family Resource Center. She collects all of her items through donations from community members.

Bella's birthday is on March 26, and even on her own birthday, she doesn't ask for gifts but for birthday box donations instead. The third-grader's actions have made her mother so proud. "I'm extremely proud of her," said Evans. "She's a very good girl with a big heart." As of her birthday in 2020, Bella had donated a total of 300 boxes. They had halted delivery of those boxes during the pandemic. "I thank God for the opportunity for letting me be able to shine my light and show that I love my neighbor," said Bella.

Bella's mother has set up a Facebook page titled Bella's Birthday Boxes, to seek donations from the community to help more kids. They also recently contacted Pillsbury, who said they wanted to donate cake mixes and icing for her boxes, reported Moms.com. Ever since the video of her packing boxes for others went viral, the family has been inundated with offers to help. With so many people offering to help, Evans said they planned to expand and donate more birthday boxes. "We are currently in talks with a couple of groups who are going to attempt to help us bump up donations and pack lots more boxes," wrote Bella's mother on the Facebook page. "Our hope is to expand out to several more schools, and possibly the local nursing home (if the logistics will work out for that)."

Facebook users praised Bella for the initiative and thanked her doing good. "This is a great way to send supplies to you and Bella for this amazingly creative ministry. What a special little girl you have, and I wish you all nothing but success and love," wrote one person. Another added, "Bella, you're an amazing young woman with a big heart! Keep up the good work and spreading the happiness that everyone deserves."