Berkeley Museum raises money for homeless children

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Habitot Children's Museum staff have raised almost $3,500 to hold birthday parties for homeless children, museum officials said Thursday.

Staff with the At-Home-At-Habitot program host the parties, which let children learn about giving, growing up, sharing and interacting,

according to museum officials.

Homeless children may lose that chance to learn and enjoy the joy

of birthday parties, museum officials said.

The parties at Habitot Children's Museum give kids 2.5 hours of

time in the museum, a dedicated party room, a personalized birthday cake, a

gift, music, decorations, art-room supplies and transportation to the museum,

if needed, according to museum officials.

Museum staff raised $8,444 in 2013, which allowed them to host

birthday parties for 200 homeless children in 2014, museum officials said.