Our children’s birthdays are more than just celebrations—they’re moments that remind us of the joy of life, the strength of family, and the love that holds us together.

As Yazan and I watch them grow, we want to instill in them the values of kindness, empathy, and a deep understanding of their roots. On their father’s side, their heritage traces back to Palestine—a land rich in history, culture, and resilience. In recent years, we’ve chosen to honor this legacy by launching donation campaigns during their birthdays to support Palestinian relief efforts.

It’s our way of teaching them that even the smallest act of giving can create meaningful change, especially for those facing hardship. This initiative is more than a gesture—it’s a bridge connecting them to their identity, instilling pride and a sense of responsibility toward their extended family across borders.

This year, we chose to donate to the Gaza Soup Kitchen, an incredible organization based in Washington DC (Tax exempt ID: 994047997) dedicated to ensuring that no one in our Gaza community goes to bed hungry.

Your generous contributions can help in meaningful ways, including:

Last month, I had the honor of personally meeting one of the co-founders, Hani Almadhoun, who established this organization with his late brother Chef Mahmoud. What began as a personal vow to ensure their neighbors in Beit Lahia, Gaza, wouldn’t go hungry quickly grew into a grassroots Palestine NGO movement, supported by people worldwide who wanted to donate to Palestine and help Gaza families.

Through this campaign, we hope to celebrate not just their birthdays, but also the enduring values of compassion, solidarity, and hope. These are gifts far more lasting than any toy or party could ever offer.

- Dalal Alsharhan & Yazan Alshihabi -

Kuwait, Dubai, Palestine