Birthday Bash Benefits Open Arms

22nd June, 2010 - Posted by Dave Redelfs -

Michele’s Birthday gift

West Linn’s Michele Nielsen helps kids of the world by raising over two thousand dollars at annual birthday bash

By Cliff Newell
The West Linn Tidings, Jun 17, 2010
(news photo)

STAFF PHOTO / VERN UYETAKE

Michele Nielsen holds up a few of the patriotic decorations she uses for her annual birthday bash which is a platform to raise money for charities.

Michele Nielsen of West Linn gives herself a very big birthday party every year.

Not because she loves to celebrate herself but because she loves to help people who need help.

In the most recent case, she helped Open Arms International. Nielsen had the 10th anniversary of her birthday party on May 15, and she did it in style, raising $2,635 for Open Arms. It was really party time.

“We had a mini concert with five performers, we had prizes, we had a raffle and we had a silent auction. I even sang a song,” Nielsen said.

Kim Krebs, director of donor relations for Open Arms, appreciates party-minded people. Especially when they are as generous as Michele Nielsen.

“I am so grateful to Michele,” Krebs said. “I wish there were more people like her. I wish everyone with resources could be like her and go see how things are like for themselves. Then they get that passion to help.”

There is a compelling story behind Nielsen’s birthday party. She had gone through a tragic time in her personal life, including the deaths of several people close to her. Nielsen was devastated, but she got through this period with her sense of generosity larger than ever.

“When this started it was a celebration of life after I had gone through tough times,” Nielsen said. “I originally invited just women.”

Nielsen’s birthday party evolved into a fundraiser because of her friends Bob and Marcella Gowan, who were working in the Republic of Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

“They had such a real heart for serving Muslim people,” Nielsen said. “With my first effort I raised funds to help them buy a Land Rover.”

Since that time, Nielsen has traveled to India and Kenya to personally observe the good work that was being done.

“It’s best to go yourself, even if a trip costs $2,000,” she said. “It is helpful to really have been there so you can describe what people are sending their money for. It helps me put a face on it.

“The needs are so great. If we aren’t the hands and feet that spread the word, then people just die.”

Open Arms was introduced to Nielsen by her friends Dave and Rachel Gallagher, who founded the Christian charitable organization. They helped set up her trip to India six years ago, where she saw unimaginable poverty.

Nielsen was so impressed with what the organization was doing that she has been helping it ever since with birthday bashes. The most recent Open Arms project is the Open Arms Village in Mlango in Nairobi, Kenya. They want to help – with no strings attached.

“Open Arms is not looking at westernizing African people,” Nielsen said. “There are no Ugly Americans.”

“We want to affect the future of Kenya through children,” Krebs said. “We want to raise the children in a village so they will know their own culture. We want to raise them in a way to make a positive difference in Kenya.”

Krebs, Nielsen and company want to create a village that will house 37 or 38 children, with a house, school, a small farm, and soon, a medical center.

Think that is big thinking by Open Arms? It is only the beginning.

“We would like to see this replicated throughout Africa,” Krebs said. “We are already seeing positive changes.”

Meanwhile, Nielsen will party on and keep giving money to Open Arms.

“When I had the most recent birthday party, I asked, ‘I’ve had 10 of these parties. Will this be the last?’” Nielsen said. “There’s no reason why. I think I want to see a 20th birthday party.”

For more information, go to www.openarmsinternational.com .

Posted on: June 22, 2010

Filed under: News Of The World