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Megan McGonagle Klein uses her birthday to help others in her community By Alex Elkins (Nevada-Las Vegas)
Birthdays can feel overwhelming and are often full of expectations. So, instead of celebrating with cake and gifts from loved ones, Megan McGonagle Klein (Florida State) decided to celebrate her day on her terms. As someone who enjoys planning surprises rather than being surprised herself, Megan decided to perform random acts of kindness throughout her city of Puyallup, Washington, on her birthday instead. She has continued this birthday tradition of giving back to her community for a decade now. “I’m kind of known for my nontraditional ideas, so my family seemed to think [me celebrating my birthday this way] was just my latest out-there thought,” Megan says. Megan had every intention to celebrate this new birthday tradition alone. However, after posting about the first year on Facebook, her family and friends asked to accompany her next time. She adds, “That was the spark! People loved it and started asking to help me year after year.”
From delivering fresh bouquets to health care workers to leaving uplifting notes on the windshield of parked cars, Megan has done every random act of kindness – big and small – over the years. Some of her favorites include handing out ‘Mom Survival Kits’ to
“Now, I look forward to my birthday every year because it’s a celebration of humanity in which everyone – the givers and the receivers – are left with a full heart.”
Growing up as a Gamma Phi Beta legacy, Megan learned early in life about the importance of the Sorority’s Core Values of Love, Labor, Learning “ N OW, I LO O K and Loyalty. Now a mom herself, Megan volunteers with the parentFO RWARD TO M Y teacher association (PTA), often writing and presenting membership B I R T H D AY E V E RY recruitment training for other YEAR BECAUSE IT’S PTA leaders across the U.S. This task reminds her of her days as A C E L E B R AT I O N O F recruitment chair for Beta Mu H U M A N I T Y I N W H I C H Chapter (Florida State).
E VERYON E – TH E GIVERS AND THE RECEIVERS – ARE LEFT WITH A FULL H E A R T.” parents in the mall, hiding rocks painted with inspirational messages around neighborhoods and taping quarters to washers and dryers at a local laundromat. 32
Are you interested in adopting this birthday tradition? Megan’s best advice is to start small. You will be amazed by the chain effect one small act of kindness has. “It’s easy to get excited and want to do all the things, but it’s best to limit yourself to a couple of random acts the first year. Plus, participating in this activity is contagious!”
