Kingston Launches First-of-Its-Kind Community Initiative Ensuring No Child Is Forgotten on Their Birthday
A new community initiative is lighting up Kingston with a simple but powerful mission: to ensure every child feels seen, celebrated, and valued on their birthday.
Founded by Kingston resident Adriana Green, Bright Candles Collective is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Kingston, and possibly in Ontario, dedicated solely to facilitating personalized birthday celebrations for children whose families face financial barriers. From venue rentals and decorations to gifts and party supplies, the Collective removes the obstacles that prevent many children from experiencing this milestone.
“Birthdays aren’t just parties,” says Green. “They play a crucial role in childhood development. They shape self-worth, belonging, and memory formation. They tell a child: You matter. Your life is worth celebrating.”
While many organizations support families with essential needs like food, housing, and clothing, Bright Candles Collective fills a unique gap focusing on emotional milestones that are often overlooked when families are in survival mode.
“There is currently no initiative in our region dedicated solely to this,” Green explains. “When a child isn’t celebrated, that absence can follow them into adulthood. This work is about preventing that.”
Unlike traditional charity models, Bright Candles Collective avoids one-size-fits-all programming. Each celebration is tailored to the child’s interests, personality, and preferences; preserving dignity, choice, and joy.
“We don’t host generic charity parties,” says Green. “We create experiences that feel real, personal, and meaningful, so kids don’t feel like recipients of help. They feel like kids having birthdays.”
Since quietly launching just weeks ago, Bright Candles Collective has built a pilot framework, launched its platforms, secured early donations, and begun forming community partnerships entirely from scratch.
The initiative is now raising funds and gathering in-kind support for its pilot phase, which will enable its first round of birthday celebrations, outreach events, and core logistics including storage, transportation, and supplies.
“This isn’t about balloons and cake,” Green adds. “It’s about equity. It’s about dignity. And it’s about building a world where no child grows up believing they were forgotten.”
For more information, visit:
www.brightcandlescollective.ca
Instagram: @brightcandlescollective
Contact: Adriana Green, Founder
Email: brightcandlescollective@gmail.com
