New Lenox Women Team Up To Spread Birthday Cheer Amid Pandemic

NEW LENOX, IL — During these difficult times, two New Lenox women have teamed up to help spread kindness and celebrate some birthdays in town. Many families have canceled birthday parties and celebrations due to the new coronavirus, but Marie Jarrell, founder of the Sunbow Foundation, and Stephanie Marquardt, owner of LGM Balloon Decor, still wanted to make birthdays special for kids who are turning a year older amid the pandemic.

Jarrell created the Sunbow Foundation in 2013. Jarrell said the organization collects clothing, food and toiletries for the homeless, provides prom dresses for girls who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend prom and buys Christmas gifts for families who can't afford them, among other acts of kindness.

Marquardt started her business, LGM Balloon Decor, in 2018 and started teaching herself how to do balloons for her daughter's first birthday.

"I made a few balloon columns with sunshine toppers to set around our home and created a life-size sunshine for people to take pictures in front of," Marquardt said. "The next day I posted pictures from the party on my Facebook page, and next thing I knew my phone was ringing!"

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The company is named after Marquardt's children, Lucas and Grace.

"I think it's very important to teach your children to care, help and give to others, and I try to be an example of that everyday for mine," Marquardt said.

Marquardt posted on Facebook offering birthday balloon services to other families in New Lenox, and Jarrell saw the post and offered to buy a decor piece for anyone who didn't have the means to pay.

"I really wanted to help a small business out during this time and saw Stephanie's post about birthday balloons," Jarrell said. "I gave her a call and told her my idea to provide balloons for kids in town who are missing their birthday parties."

Jarrell said the two partnered up and "the rest is history."

Marquardt said they have donated to more than 50 families.

"It's an amazing thing to get to witness pure happiness in such a dark time," Marquardt said.

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