Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha Honored with Friend of Education Award

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Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha

ALBANY, NY (04/05/2023) (readMedia)-- Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha (HBCCC) in Pittsford, represented by Carrie Green, founder president, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Friend of Education Award by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given to an individual, group, or organization that has consistently contributed to the support and advancement of outstanding public education and the students of New York State.

Green feels passionately that "birthdays should be a chance for each child to feel especially loved and celebrated. But unfortunately, many children don't experience anything special on their day." And that's where Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha steps in. The idea was developed in January 2017, while Green was shopping for holiday clearance toys with the intention of donating them the following season, but wished there was an easier way to get them to the children sooner. Within a few weeks the program was up and running out of Green's basement. Commented Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Administrator Gary Manuse, "Carrie has an extraordinary heart and is a true example of what it means to give unconditionally and portray remarkable volunteer efforts on behalf of education."

HBCC works closely with the Rochester, Rome, and Buffalo city school districts to adopt classrooms where 90 percent of the students are living at or below the poverty line. The goal is that every single child in each classroom feels noticed and cared about on their birthday. In its first school year, HBCCC brought birthday joy to seven Rochester City School District classrooms and 129 children. In 2018, the number rose to 422 children, and in 2021 they celebrated 1,304 children in Rochester, 130 children in Rome, and opened their third chapter in Buffalo, providing for 75 children.

Janivette Torres, special education teacher at Pinnacle School #35, noted, "As a teacher who has collaborated with Carrie for the last five years, I have personally seen her care and compassion firsthand. The students truly light up when receiving the beautiful gifts that Carrie prepares with her team."

Corey Hepburn, principal of Clara Barton School No. 02 in Rochester, commented, "Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha, Inc. is more than an agency that celebrates birthdays and provides gifts for students. It connects people to people through an intentional and precise process that delivers hope for all."

Principal of RISE Community School #106 in Rochester, Kelly Lampman continued, "Seeing those green bags carried out to the bus loop by a student with a grin from ear to ear is remarkable. All students know what that green bag means and who it is from. Other students are now wishing that child a happy birthday! Again, allowing for that child to be special! The amount they have given to the RISE family is more than I could have ever hoped for."

Green and fellow 2023 award winners will be recognized at SAANYS' annual awards celebration, taking place on May 5 at the Crown Plaza Albany - Desmond Hotel.