Dustin’s 12th Heavenly Birthday Party set for this Saturday
Dustin’s 12th Heavenly Birthday Party will return at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Camp Siloam.
The party is a commemoration of Dustin Chamberlain, a college student who was killed by an escaped prisoner in December 2011. The night before his death, Chamberlain told his parents he wanted to be a medical missionary.
Dustin’s parents Don and Deondra Chamberlain pursued their son’s dream by starting Dustin’s Dream, a nonprofit that works to bring medical aid to the people of Guatemala City, Guatemala, by partnering with the Heart of Love clinic and providing financial and medical aid.
WHAT’S NEW
For the 12th Heavenly Birthday Party, Dustin’s Dream is looking to give back to the community it calls home, said Danae Howard, Dustin’s sister and the current executive director of Dustin’s Dream.
“We are asking attendees to bring a canned good to donate to Manna Center,” Howard said.
Howard also said Dustin’s Dream had helped the community in other ways in 2023. The nonprofit most recently helped out with Bright Futures Coat Drive to provide coats for kids whose families had trouble affording basic necessities.
Dustin’s Dream also provided 16 scholarships to high school students interested in careers in the medical field that totaled $8,000, Howard said. Another change will allow attendees of Dustin’s Heavenly Birthday Party to directly contribute to the ministry, Howard said.
Donations made will help purchase groceries and/or medicines for families in Guatemala who were in need, Howard said.
Howard also said Dustin’s Dream hired their first Guatemala-based employee and Dustin’s Dream is adding more trips to Guatemala to help out in 2024. Also, the Buy Now Table will feature purses made in Guatemala as well as other items.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Cesia Rodriguez, a registered nurse who will share her story about her mission trip to Guatemala, Howard said.
WHAT REMAINS THE SAME
Despite all of the changes, there will be some things that will remain the same. Chili will be the main course of the evening and admission is still free. There will be a live auction and Dillon Butler of the Butler Creek Boys will return as the auctioneer, Howard said.
Items to be auctioned off include 75 baked goods, quilts, a custom knife and a custommade steel fire pit, Howard said. The big item for the auction will be a Mini Aussie Shepherd.
Dustin’s Dream will continue to help the Heart of Love clinic but will also help to build the Freedom House, which helps men in Guatemala City overcome addiction, Howard said.
“We are super grateful that Dustin’s Dream exists in Siloam Springs,” Howard said. “We are looking forward to partnering with people in Siloam and giving back.”