Emily Inspires a New Birthday Club and Helps Haitian Earthquake Survivors
11 February 2010
A Birthday for Emily to Remember:
She’s just celebrated her 9th birthday, but already Emily displays wisdom and compassion beyond her years.
The January 12 earthquake in Haiti has not gone unnoticed even by elementary school children. Although eight year old Emily has plenty of other things to think about, such as her upcoming birthday, the thing that most occupies her mind is helping the earthquake victims in Haiti. So, rather than think about all the toys and birthday treats she might get, Emily invites her classmates to her birthday party and requests that instead of purchasing gifts for her, they bring money to help people in Haiti. All fourteen girls responded with gifts of cash.
Emily’s mom called the Hunger Response International office and said she’d heard that the Rice Raiser Campaign had included Haiti in the global projects and said she and Emily would like to bring the Birthday money – $217.00 to donate for relief efforts!! They wanted to come before the February 12 cut off date for the Canadian International Development Agency $ for $ match.
As I related this story to someone else later on, he pulled out $5 and said, Here, put this with Emily’s birthday money to help the Haitians. She has done a great thing!
Emily is an inspiration and her act of compassion has initiated a Hunger Response Birthday Club. If you would like to learn more about how you can help others through your birthday, please contact us.
Emily shows her birthday money and her Hunger Response Birthday Club Compassion Award.