Tulsa Group Helps Homeless Families Celebrate Their Birthday

Tulsans celebrated Tuesday night those who so often slip through the cracks by marking the birthdays that often do the same.

Men, women and children of all ages filed into John 3:16 Mission for a huge birthday celebration.

"Our goal is to make sure that everybody at least once a year gets a big birthday party, so we put on this huge birthday bash," said Steve Whitaker with the 3:16 Mission.

Many of the people at the mission don't even know what it's like to celebrate their birthday. That's why this day is one they'll never forget.

"To actually have this and someone that actually cares to celebrate a birthday, especially when you're homeless it actually means a lot and sometimes it makes me want to cry," said Amber Karengin, who has been homeless for seven years.

Even though her birthday isn't until August, she says enjoying cake, ice cream and games means the world.

"You don't really get a lot of people who care about whether you're homeless or not homeless, whether it's your birthday or not, they really don't care and to actually get someone that does, means a whole lot more than giving clothes or feeding us every night. It actually means more cause it's coming more from the heart than it is anything," she said.

Robert Myers has also been living in and out of shelters for the past nine years.

"I've had birthdays and I never had no one. I guess no one really knew about them, so I didn't really get any presents or anything," Myers said. "It means a lot to me. I've already got a couple nice gifts that they've given everyone."

After the fun and games, the guests even got to walk away with a bag full of goodies and door prizes.