About Community of Candles
Community of Candles is a 501(3)(c) non-profit charity. Our mission is to provide meaningful birthday experiences for children who might otherwise go uncelebrated, focusing on dignity, connection, and joy.
We understand that birthdays are more than just another day. They are moments of recognition, celebration, and connection—opportunities for children to feel valued and celebrated by their community. For many children in our community, these moments don't happen without help.
We partner with volunteers, donors, and community members to create authentic, thoughtful birthday experiences that affirm each child's inherent worth and place in our shared community.
How It Works
Identify Children
We work with community partners and families to identify children who need and would benefit from a meaningful birthday celebration.
Create Experiences
Our volunteers and donors collaborate to create thoughtful, personalized birthday experiences that reflect each child's individuality and interests.
Deliver Joy
We deliver dignity, connection, and joy by ensuring every child feels recognized, celebrated, and valued within their community.
Our Core Values
Dignity
Every child deserves to be celebrated with respect and genuine recognition. We create experiences that affirm worth and ensure no child feels "less than."
Connection
Birthdays are moments of connection. We bring together family, friends, and community to ensure each child experiences genuine belonging and care.
Joy
Beyond the gifts and cake, we celebrate the pure joy of being alive, being seen, and being part of a community that cherishes you.
Meet the Board
Megan Baumgartner
Founder & President
Hi, I'm Megan Baumgartner, Founder and President of Community of Candles. This organization was born from my heart after witnessing families quietly struggling to celebrate their child's birthday — especially within foster care and low-income households. I've seen parents skip parties, skip gifts, and sometimes even skip telling their child it was their birthday because the resources just weren't there.
I couldn't unsee that. Community of Candles exists because every child deserves to feel celebrated on their special day — not just with a cake or a gift, but with presence, joy, and community. As President, my role is to lead this mission with integrity, compassion, and transparency while building strong partnerships, supporting our board and volunteers, and making sure this organization truly serves the families it was created for.
Elizabeth Passmore
Vice President
Elizabeth Passmore serves as the Vice President of Community of Candles, where she provides strategic leadership and operational support to advance the organization's mission of celebrating children and supporting families in need.
She works closely with the President and Board of Directors to guide organizational growth, strengthen internal systems, and support effective community engagement. In her role, Elizabeth helps oversee board operations, supports fundraising and outreach initiatives, and contributes to long-term planning to ensure Community of Candles remains sustainable, accountable, and impact-driven. Her leadership is grounded in collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to delivering meaningful, dignified support to the families we serve.
Kaylea Fink
Treasurer
I'm excited to serve as the Treasurer for Community of Candles. Our mission is to celebrate every child—one candle at a time—and it truly comes from the heart. I deeply believe that every child deserves to feel loved, valued, and special, no matter their circumstances, and I'm grateful to play a role in helping make that belief a reality.
With a master's degree in accounting, I use my skills to keep everything budgeted and reconciled so we can focus on creating special moments for kids.
Melanie Vavra
Secretary
Melanie joined Community of Candles because she believes every child deserves to feel celebrated and every family deserves support during life's most meaningful moments. In her role as secretary, she serves our community with heart and purpose—supporting the vision of one of her oldest friends, strengthening relationships, and helping build new connections rooted in compassion.
Melanie is honored to be part of a mission that brings joy, dignity, and hope to families who need it most. We are so grateful to have her as part of our Community of Candles family.
Walter Maxwell
Fundraiser Chair
I'm a third generation Spokanite. Every week my family would visit my Grandma on the South Hill. On our birthdays we would pull into her driveway and she would have balloons taped to the door and a Happy Birthday sign hanging for everyone to see. When we entered her house there would be a cake with candles and a pile of presents on her table. It was a yearly tradition, but even as a teenager I always anticipated my birthday with excitement because nothing feels better than being celebrated.
Now, as an adult, I realize not every child has the opportunity to be recognized on their birthday. I spent over a decade working with kids of all ages and saw many come from difficult backgrounds where they felt unseen by their family and their peers.. When I heard of the Community of Candles I was so inspired by their mission to provide kids, normally marginalized, with a birthday party and the opportunity to be seen, I had to be a part of it. One thing I've learned over the years is a single light can literally change a life.
Tayah Siegel
Marketing & Communications Chair
Tayah joined Community of Candles because she believes deeply in the idea that every child deserves to be celebrated on their birthday. She was inspired by the mission through our founder, Megan, and is proud to support her in building something rooted in compassion, community, and purpose.
As our Marketing & Communications Chair, Tayah helps share the heart of Community of Candles through storytelling, outreach, and connection — making sure our message reaches the families, partners, and supporters who can help us light the way.
Join Our Community
Whether you can donate, volunteer, or simply share our mission, there are many ways to be part of creating meaningful birthday experiences for children in our community.