Birthday cake and ice cream are duos as familiar as peanut butter and jelly. So when a favorite creamery, Deja Moo, teamed up with Characters of Character for their birthday box fundraiser, it just fit. Characters of Character is a non-profit, started by Joni Downey, whose “mission is to provide a firm foundation for children to develop strong civic values.” 

Joni organized the inaugural “Birthday Fundraiser” last March, calling it Miss Joni's Birthday Fundraiser. “What we did was bring Birthday Cake Kits to local Food Pantries,” says Joni. “All the items are included in this: cake mix, frosting, plates, napkins, a birthday card, some miscellaneous party items, and a can of Sprite.” Sprite replaces the oil and eggs needed to transform the powdery cake mix into a fluffy treat–a trick Joni learned from Brenda at Unarco. “The pantries don’t usually have oil or eggs on the shelf, and this alternative works great,” says Joni. 

Last year, Characters of Character was able to donate 166 Birthday Cake Kits, through the help of Unarco, Cream of the Crop, and community donations. Shelters in Tennessee and beyond benefitted. “I even had a friend from Minnesota do it as her son needed volunteer hours, and she loves what we do.” These festive boxes are an extension of Joni’s goal “to empower kids to live each day with good character, and that each child we serve gives back, becomes a role model and makes a positive impact on the world around them."

Pop by Deja Moo (White House and Springfield locations), grab a scoop of your favorite ice cream, and donate to the Birthday Cake Kits. It’s a small, easy way to remind our neighbors that they are not forgotten. Donations end March 14th. 

For more information, check out www.charactersofcharacter.org