Birthdays can be such a magical time, especially when you are a kid and your wishes become reality.
But the Hallberg family's party is different. The focus is on making the wishes of others come true.
"What does the girl want this year?" Asked Doug Hallberg. "A playground," answered his daughter Siena.
The joint birthday party for 9-year-old Tyson, 7-year-old Siena, and 4-year-old Corbet started six years ago.
"The invitation says instead of a present, Siena, Corbet and Tyson would like you to make a donation to Make-A-Wish," said Laurel Hallberg, the mother.
The kids birthdays are only about a month apart, so a joint party seemed like a good fit. Mom and dad decided that giving to charity would be a nice option.
"We may not have everything that we want but we have everything we need," said Doug.
But now the kids are the ones that are keeping the tradition going.
"It's helping other people," said Siena.
"It feels good to know I'm giving something to someone else who needs it," said Tyson.
"We talk in our house about being lights and trying to do nice things to help other people because if you brighten their path it also brightens your own," said Doug.
Six years ago the party started with 30 people. Now it has become not just a Hallberg event, but a community one too.
"There are 160 people here you have touched in some way and their lives and your lives are brighter," said Doug.
And what is a party without some fun? There's an annual water balloon fight and a new theme each year too. This year, there was geocaching across several neighbors yards.
Even when the fun is over, the excitement continues on. As the kids find out how much they've raised.
"This years party will go help support Charlottes Wish for a play set up in Queensbury," said Dr. Bill Trigg, Chief Executive Officer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York.
"I hope they are learning to reach out to other people and learn they can do anything they want to," said Laurel.
It is a lesson they are learning, reinforced by a picture hanging in their rooms of a girl they helped last year. It is a reminder each morning they say of what at nine, seven and four they've already helped to do.
"It's heart warming and humbling at the same time," said Trigg. "They are helping them to feel hopeful and joyful at a time they aren't feeling well."
This year, the Hallbergs' wish is...
"That they have a good time using it," said Tyson.
There are times in life where we give and others where we receive. But this time, for the Hallbergs, it's both. In giving, they also get a gift.
The Hallbergs tell us they raised almost $2,000 at their party this year. They have also given to Bellevue Hospital, the local library and the American Cancer Society in the past.
If you'd like to give you can send donations to William Trigg, Ph.D at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York at: One Mustang Drive, Cohoes, NY 12047
