Today, St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center (SVSF) honored Anika Jane Beamer as its “Volunteer of the Year” for her work in creating and maintaining the Blessed Birthdays program, which provides a party with cake and gifts for less fortunate children.
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DETROIT - April 18, 2018 – Who doesn’t love a birthday party? For one area teen, sharing that excitement with children who may not experience that celebration has become a mission.
Today, St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center (SVSF) honored Anika Jane Beamer as its “Volunteer of the Year” for her work in creating and maintaining the Blessed Birthdays program, which provides a party with cake and gifts for less fortunate children.
Beamer was only in seventh grade when she first started noticing that some people were less fortunate than her.
“I became aware of the privileges I had, and frustrated by the inequality,” said the Farmington resident. She began looking for a way that she could help those who had less than her.
She always loved throwing birthday parties for friends and family, so her idea for the Blessed Birthdays program came naturally from that.
“This was some small way that I could address the inequality,” she said. She founded the program in 2013, choosing to partner with SVSF due to its focus on education.
Beamer, now 16 years old, has hosted more than 100 parties and celebrated with approximately 250 children at just SVSF alone. While she says that every party feels different and special, there’s one thing that always remains the same.
“The best part is seeing all the kids rally around each other,” she said. “That doesn’t change from party to party.” More recently, Blessed Birthdays has expanded to include less fortunate children in Farmington schools.
Being named as SVSF’s Volunteer of the Year is, according to Beamer, a “huge honor.” She has a lot of respect for SVSF and the work that they do. “I go there and I see all of the wonderful work these volunteers are doing, and I feel honored to be counted among them.”
Beamer was honored at SVSF’s “Celebrate the Center” recognition breakfast today at the Detroit Athletic Club.
St. Vincent Sarah Fisher
St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center began in 1844 as St. Vincent’s Academy in Detroit, a kindergarten for orphaned children. The organization evolved through the years and moved to Farmington Hills, establishing an adoption/foster care residence for children. In 2006, when policies and the economy changed, the Center closed its residential doors, but wanted to continue to fulfill its mission of serving at-risk children and adults. Identifying the significant need, the Center returned to Detroit and its roots of education and now provides free, personalized educational support for children and adults. These programs are designed to help build self-sufficiency skills for academic and employment success, personal achievement and dignity. Visit http://www.svsfcenter.org/ to learn more.
For more information, contact:
Sue Voyles, 734-667-2005 / sue logos-communications.com | 
