How HBCCC Started
In January 2017, founder Carrie Green was shopping clearance toys with the intention of donating them the following holiday season, but wished there was an easy way to get them to the children sooner. She thought 'there ought to be a program for birthdays.' After a few days of thought, and with the input of friends and family, she developed the idea for Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha.
Within a few weeks the program was up and running out of Carrie's basement. In the first school year, Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha has brought birthday joy to 7 Rochester City School District classrooms and 129 children!
Get to know more about our wonderful team below!
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Carrie Green
Role: Founder
Why I Do What I Do
I am a big believer in giving back. I also believe it is most impactful when it is personal. I really feel like children benefit from being celebrated individually and birthdays are the perfect opportunity to do that! I want each child to feel celebrated, regardless of their economic status.
About Me
- I met my husband in 1996 while waiting tables in grad school . He sat in my station and the rest is history
- I am a long standing judge of the annual Miss Gay Rochester Drag Pageant.
- I try to run at least 20 miles/week.
Favorite Birthday Memory
My favorite birthday is when I was about 8 years old and I woke up to a blizzard and we had a snow day from school.
Favorite Birthday Cake
Who needs cake? I’m good with a can of frosting and a spoon.
Favorite Balloon Animal
Gotta love the elephants
A Little More About Me
I went to the University of Rochester for undergrad and grad. I’ve worked for Procter & Gamble for 28 years. Married with four kids and a dog. I love to read and to finish a run.
Cape Cod is my happy place.
Message to the Community
If the world is going to change, children must know kindness.
Mary Becker
Chapter: Central, NY
Why I Do What I Do
I believe in giving back in my retirement, and I love to see the joyful smiles of kids celebrated by their peers and teachers on their special day
About Me
- I taught for 36 years in New Hartford
- I ran the Boilermaker once (that was enough)
- I have a four year old golden retriever named Tucker
Favorite Birthday Memory
Watching each of my three kids at their first birthday parties, eating their cake with their fingers full of frosting and with frosting smeared all over their faces.
Favorite Birthday Cake
Two layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
Favorite Balloon Animal
Giraffe - any color.
Message to the Community
So proud that we celebrated 575 birthday kids in Utica and Rome this year!!
Jennifer DeAngelo
Chapter: Central, NY
Why I Do What I Do
I believe that every child is truly special. Celebrating them on their birthday is one way to show them how important they are to this world.
About Me
- I was born and raised in CNY.
- I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from SUNY College at Geneseo.
- Speech Language Pathology was my first career but I now work at DeAngelo Insurance Agency.
Favorite Birthday Memory
For my 50th birthday, I hosted a "grown up" tea party complete with fancy dresses and hats/fascinators. It was so much fun to have my friends and family all in one place to help me celebrate this milestone.
Favorite Birthday Cake
I am an equal opportunity cake lover (why choose?!)
Favorite Balloon Animal
I have never seen anything other than a dog; if someone could make a balloon T rex, I would be impressed.
A Little More About Me
I most enjoy spending time with my husband and son. Reading (and shopping!) are my favorite pastimes and I especially like to search out sales/deals which also helps us to stretch our funds at HBCCC!
Message to the Community
"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." - A.A. Milne
Lynn Wilmarth
Chapter: Rochester
Why I Do What I Do
There are so many wonderful organizations that offer much needed aid to people around the world. Donating both time and money had been one of my goals in retirement, and when Carrie had the idea of bringing birthday joy to local children I knew I wanted to help. Happy Cha is personal, its local, its needed, and there is nothing more gratifying than making a child feel special and recognized on their birthday.
About Me
- Retired Vice President Marketing and Sales at Xerox Corporation
- Enjoy writing and have authored 2 little books and a children’s picture book
- Love hiking and traveling
Favorite Birthday Memory
Spending an afternoon reading all of the thank you notes from the children.
Favorite Birthday Cake
Nothing better than a chocolate cake with butter cream vanilla frosting.
Favorite Balloon Animal
I marvel at the way some people can transform a balloon into an animal. Mine always look like a hotdog with no bun!
Message to the Community
My message to the community comes from Mother Teresa who said “ If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one“
Christine Pallotta-Reder
Chapter: Rochester
Why I Do What I Do
I do this to be part of something bigger than myself and to ensure every child feels valued, especially on their birthday.
About Me
- I'm married and the mother of 2 kids
- Coordinator of Curriculum and Instructional Coach
- I love to exercise and run
Favorite Birthday Memory
At the end of the school year, we went to the school to celebrate and brought birthday bags for the students who have summer birthdays. We had bubbles and popsicles, and the kids wrote sweet notes. We also sang “Happy Birthday” to each of them to make sure they felt celebrated before summer break.
Favorite Birthday Cake
Cherry Cheese Cake
Favorite Balloon Animal
Giraffe
A Little More About Me
- I love to be outside, especially on a beach
- I love to travel
- I love to cook
Message to the Community
A simple birthday celebration means more than cake and gifts. It’s about dignity, belonging, and letting a child know they matter.
Kerri Lehmbeck
Chapter: Buffalo
Why I Do What I Do
The thought of a child not receiving a gift on their birthday is heartbreaking. Thankfully, through HBCCC, we get to make sure kids in Buffalo experience birthday joy. It’s truly magical!
About Me
- I have three dogs and foster for a local rescue
- I am a big Buffalo Bills Fan (I mean, who couldn’t love Josh Allen?)
- Cape Cod is my happy place
Favorite Birthday Memory
It may sound boring to some, but I love vanilla cake with buttercream frosting.
Favorite Birthday Cake
Cherry Cheese Cake
Favorite Balloon Animal
I’ve never thought about this before…let’s go with a butterfly.
A Little More About Me
When I am not managing Felician Community Services in Buffalo, NY, I enjoy snuggling with my three Shih Tzus, attending my children’s sporting and theatrical events, or relaxing by the water with my husband.
