A Movement Built One Birthday at a Time
Born in New York, built by young people — here's how a single act of kindness became a movement.
Alexis Mawere
Founder & Executive Director
Meet the founder
One birthday changed everything.
Alexis Mawere founded Celebrate Every Candle at just 16 years old after learning that many children in foster care and shelters never receive a birthday celebration. What started as a single box assembled at her kitchen table has grown into a movement reaching hundreds of children across the NYC metro area and Long Island.
Driven by the belief that every child deserves to feel seen and celebrated, Alexis has rallied a community of volunteers, donors, and partner organizations to make birthdays happen — one box at a time.
"A birthday isn't just a party. It's a child knowing they matter."
Our mission
We deliver joy, dignity, and belonging.
Celebrate Every Candle assembles and delivers birthday boxes filled with age-appropriate gifts, a birthday banner, balloons, a cake mix, and a handwritten card to children in foster care, shelters, and under-resourced communities across New York.
Every child matters
We believe birthdays are a fundamental human experience — a moment of joy every child deserves, regardless of their circumstances.
Community-powered
Our work is made possible by volunteers, donors, and partner organizations who show up for kids in their own neighborhoods.
Youth-led change
We prove that young people can lead meaningful change. Our team of teen volunteers is the heart of everything we do.
Dignity in every box
Every birthday box is assembled with care — thoughtful, age-appropriate, and wrapped with love so each child feels truly celebrated.
Our impact
Growing every year.
500+
Birthday boxes delivered
3
Years of operation
200+
Volunteers engaged
15+
Partner organizations
Join us in celebrating every candle.
Whether you donate, volunteer, or spread the word — you help a child feel seen on their birthday.