A little girl showed her generosity on her fifth birthday by asking for donations for injured soldier Ben Parkinson instead of birthday gifts.
Izzy Jones, of Rossington, England, met
Parkinson when he spoke at her school and insisted on donating to his charities through her birthday party. In a local newspaper, the Epworth Bells, Izzy’s mom said she thought her daughter would drop the idea, but Izzy never did.
Izzy raised 530 pounds (about $800) for Parkinson’s charity, Pilgrim Bandits.
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Lance Bombardier Parkinson was severely injured in Afghanistan, losing both legs and suffering as many as 40 other injuries, including ones that resulted in brain damage.
His injuries have been called the worst ever battlefield injuries. He carried the Olympic torch through his hometown of Doncaster, and the sight of his struggle brought many people to tears.
Parkinson was so touched by Izzy’s thoughtfulness that he attended the little girl’s birthday party, taking pictures with the kids and thanking her personally.
Izzy’s kindness and desire to do something to help is being mirrored around the United States as other children ask to donate to favorite charities instead of getting more birthday presents.
Two young girls in Athens, Ga.,
Hailey and Kirsten Clemons, asked party-goers to donate to a nonprofit animal shelter instead of bringing birthday gifts.
Gifts were items the no-kill shelter could use, including dog food, bleach, paper towels and laundry soap. The girls' mom told the newspaper that it was her daughters’ idea.
In 2007, the New York Times ran an article entitled,
“Cake, But No Presents, Please,” that offered the idea of supporting charities instead of just getting “stuff” for birthdays. Most people putting forward the idea of charity birthdays see it as a great opportunity to teach generosity and altruism to children.
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