There are few memories from childhood that stand the test of time like those from one's own birthday celebration. For many, these include being surrounded by friends and family, opening gifts and eating cake and ice cream.

But not for some families who are forced to forego these celebrations as they try to rebuild their lives, like the women and children who live in the Barbara Saville Women's Shelter in Hanford.

Angela Baumeister of Lemoore thought of just that as she began preparing for her own daughter's third birthday.

"Knowing that my daughter and family is safe and secure is such a blessing," she said. "But then I thought about those out there that don't have that feeling."

As Baumeister began contemplating what to buy for her only child, Elizabeth, she said that she realized her daughter didn't really need more things and wondered if there were children at the women's shelter who did.

"I thought we could celebrate life that way rather than giving her more things that she doesn't really need," she said.

So Baumeister and her daughter brought all the necessary decorations and gifts to the shelter on Oct. 25 and hosted a celebration for the children and mothers living there.

The shelter's supervisor, Margarita Alcala, attended the party along with the seven women and nine children who lived there.

"It's been really touching because all the families go through different issues," Alcala said. "There really are no words to show Angela enough gratitude for this."

Three children and one mother living in the shelter have birthdays in October, which made the celebration even more fitting.

Baumeister came armed with wrapped gifts that included everything from dump trucks to stuffed animals. She purchased some of them but also collected toys and clothing from members of the Navy wives club she belongs to and from her co-worker and a member of her Bible study group.

She said one moment that brought tears to her eyes was when a little girl opened a wallet and found a few dollars that she had put inside.

"She went and gave it to her mom and said 'we can move out,'" she said. "That was one of three moments of trying to compose myself."

Aside from opening gifts, the children enjoyed eating cake and pizza and playing outside on the shelter's playground equipment.

As the children played Baumeister said she couldn't help but notice how thankful and kind they all were.

"All the kids began talking about how they were going to share everything with each other, which was so sweet," she said.

Those are traits she hopes to instill in Elizabeth, which is partly why she hosted the party. But ultimately, Baumeister said she wanted the children to have "at least one good day."

The Barbara Saville Women's Shelter is the only emergency shelter in all of Kings County and serves women and children who are homeless or victims of domestic violence.

The 13-room facility can house up to 31 individuals and is operated through Kings Community Action Organization.

Alcala said the celebration hosted by Baumeister was the first birthday party held at the shelter, though volunteers have come in for other holidays.

"It was really to celebrate their lives and to really give them some happiness and give a little bit of God's love to them," Baumeister said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2427.

(Nov. 14, 2009)