The Gut-Wrenching Reason Some Kids Don't Know The Song 'Happy Birthday'

A heartbreaking video PSA is highlighting one way homelessness affects children.

Titled "Birthday Song," the video shows kids -- portrayed by actors -- identifying popular songs like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Row Row Row Your Boat." When it comes time to identify the "Happy Birthday" song, however, the kids have no answers. The video ends with a message: "Too many homeless kids never had a birthday party."

The PSA was created by Birthday Wishes, an awesome nonprofit that puts on birthday celebrations for homeless kids and their families.

As co-founder Lisa Vasiloff told Today, the organization has thrown parties for kids in many different circumstances, like a 6-year-old girl who'd never celebrated her birthday because her mom's abuser wouldn't allow it, or a little boy who was afraid when he saw his cake with candles on it because it was a completely unfamiliar sight.  

"A combination of anecdotal evidence, academic research, and program evaluation tells us that birthday celebrations build self-esteem and provide a sense of normalcy not often experienced by homeless children," the nonprofit's website states. "The Birthday Wishes program ensures that every birthday child we serve knows the day he/she was born was a very special day."

It's a small way to make a big difference.

H/T Today

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