The Heart Behind Birthday Candle
Kelsey Decker
Founder & CEO
Driven by a belief that every child deserves to feel chosen and celebrated, Kelsey Decker founded Birthday Candle to bring joy and dignity to children’s most special day of the year. As a mother and passionate community advocate, Kelsey created Birthday Candle with a simple yet powerful mission: to ensure that no child’s birthday goes unnoticed due to financial hardship. With compassion at the heart of her work, she personally oversees every detail of the organization, transforming generosity into meaningful celebrations for children and families in need. Through her leadership and dedication, Birthday Candle continues to grow—spreading hope, inspiring kindness, and creating lasting memories, one birthday at a time.
Our Story
During the holiday season, Kelsey participated in a Christmas program and adopted two young boys. What began as a seasonal gesture quickly became something far more meaningful. Over the course of two months, she thoughtfully selected gifts for them, pouring her heart into every detail. With each purchase, she felt a growing connection to the children—imagining their smiles and the joy they would experience on Christmas morning.
When the time came to deliver the gifts to a local fire station for distribution, she felt an unexpected sense of sadness. Though fulfilled by the experience, she couldn’t help but think about the moments she would never witness—the excitement, the laughter, and the memories created. In the weeks that followed, she found herself noticing items in stores and wishing she could continue supporting the boys, especially on their birthdays.
That simple wish sparked a profound realization: while there were programs dedicated to providing Christmas gifts, there were none focused on celebrating children on their birthdays.
And so, Birthday Candle was born.
Inspired by the belief that every child deserves to feel special on their big day, Birthday Candle was created to ensure that birthdays are filled with joy, dignity, and celebration. Because a birthday is more than just a date—it is a reminder that a child is seen, valued, and deeply loved.
At Birthday Candle, we believe that magic shouldn’t be reserved for the holidays. Every child deserves to blow out a candle, make a wish, and feel celebrated—on their special day and every year thereafter.
Our Mission
To ensure that every child experiences the joy of being celebrated on their birthday, regardless of their family’s circumstances.
Our Values
At Birthday Candle, everything we do is guided by heart, purpose, and a commitment to making every child feel celebrated.
Dignity First
Every child deserves to feel valued, respected, and celebrated.
Compassion in Action
Celebration Matters
We turn generosity into meaningful, real-life impact.
A birthday is a moment to feel seen, special, and loved.
Safety & Trust
Community Connection
Integrity & Transparency
We protect the privacy and well-being of every child and family.
We bring people together to support and uplift one another.
We operate with honesty and care in everything we do.