As a way to honor her father, a former policeman in New York City who had passed away just before his 99th birthday, Dennis resident Lynn Guardino started the Birthday Box program at the Yarmouth Food Pantry.
“He loved kids,” said Lynn, about her father. “So, I thought there must be something I could do for children.”
With the help of neighbors and other participants found through social media, Lynn assembles and donates birthday boxes for children ages three to 13. Each box contains everything one would need to throw a birthday party: cake mix, frosting, candles, balloons, party hats and napkins, plus a birthday card and small gift.
“You should see their faces when we hand them the box,” a Yarmouth Food Pantry volunteer told Lynn. “The kids light up like little Christmas trees.”
