A History of Birthday Giving. Siblings Adopt Penguins and Polar Bears and Give $345 to Cystic Fibrosis.

Posted: January 21, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, Charity birthday party, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, kids birthday party ideas, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

With a combined FIVE ECHOage parties under their belt (and velcro tabbed diaper), Allie and Mason certainly know the great feeling that comes from helping others.

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Both of these two shining stars, at their most recent ECHOage birthday parties, helped Cystic Fibrosis Canada as they wanted to do their part to find a cure for their cousin.  Beautiful! Inspiring! Compassionate!

And the giving didn’t stop there…  Mason also adopted a penguin and Allie, a polar bear from their local zoo.

These siblings seem to have “the need for speed” as their group gift from all of their friends was a Plasma car for Allie and a 3 in 1 tricycle for Mason.

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Julie, (smart Mama) says there is always money left over from their ECHOage birthday parties and that goes straight to the kids’ savings account.

We can only imagine the positive impact these kids will have on the world as they grow.

Happy birthday Allie and Mason!

For their birthday, brothers Justin and Nathan got fantastic gifts, and The Association to Benefit Children got $255.

Posted: January 18, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
Brother get new toys and raised 255 for The Association to Benefit Children

Brothers celebrating together.

These brothers from Virginia are back! How exciting to see them turn 8 this year and ECHOage their birthday party once again! This time they chose The Association to Benefit Children because, in their words, “we really wanted to help other kids!”  They bought action figures, Exploderz, and Robert Griffin III Jerseys with their birthday money.  Lisa, their Mom, says: “We are proud of them, and we love that they are learning to give to others.” Happy Birthday Justin and Nathan!  Those jerseys will look so good on you!

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Noah is smiling – he turned 7 at his birthday, got a Kindle, and Smile Train got $250!

Posted: January 7, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Noah turned 7!

Noah lives in Boise, Idaho.  This year he wanted his birthday party to be much more than a fabulous celebration. Noah chose to give half of the funds raised at his party to Smile Train, a charity that provides free cleft surgery to hundreds of thousands of children in developing countries.  Some kids cannot eat, or speak properly.  Some kids face very difficult lives filled with shame, isolation, pain and heartache.  The good news is every single child with a cleft can be helped with surgery that costs as little as $250. Seven year old Noah has now changed the life of a little child needing cleft surgery.

Not a surprise, Noah’s parents are extremely proud of him.  He bought a Kindle for his birthday present, so he can read even more, and he made it possible for a child to smile again. Noah, there are many others who are very proud of you today.  Everyone at ECHOage is smiling for you, too.

Smile Train

Wee little Willow, a one year old from Deerfield Illinois, raised $525.00 for the charity SHADOW and put the rest toward some girly toys and her education!

Posted: December 24, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Now that’s a reason to celebrate!

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Willow’s Mom says that their family is passionate about the preservation of natural habitats and their animals.  So the charity SHADOW seemed like a great fit to donate half of Willow’s birthday money raised at her party.  SHADOW is focused on preserving wetland and forest habitat for future generations. Screen Shot 2012-12-23 at 10.23.56 PM

Birthday parties certainly can be a bit overwhelming.  Specially for a one year old.  So when Willow’s mom found a service that could help her impart her values and provide her friends a family with an easy way to give toward long lasting, more meaningful gifts (without having to leave their homes) she jumped at the chance.

If Willow, at age one, can inspire family and friends just by celebrating her birthday, we can’t wait to see what she does for her second birthday.   A very happy 1st birthday to your Willow.

For Chiji’s 4th birthday, she got a big girl bike and Child Find of America got $225.

Posted: December 17, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chiji's 4th Birthday Party

Chiji had a face painting party with her friends to celebrate her 4th birthday.

After viewing the list of charities on the ECHOage website, Chiji chose to support Child Find of America.  In her words, “Oh yes, we should give them money so the Mommy’s and Daddy’s can bring their kids home. Every kid should be with their Mommy and Daddy.”

Outta the mouths of babes.

Chiji also expressed excitement for her gift choice.  “ I would like a big girl bike so my little sister can ride my bike.”  At four years of age, you are already a giving and generous soul, Chiji.

We are so proud to know that young girls like you are doing such positive and wonderful things in our world.

Chiji, we hope you have many exciting adventures exploring the world on your big girl bike.

Happy, happy, 4th birthday.

For his 1st birthday, Dominic put money toward his Registered Education Savings Plan (yup, you read that correctly) and Plan Canada got $55.

Posted: December 6, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This young boy is going places!

Dominic turns ONE!

Dominic turns ONE!

Looks like the world can learn a thing or two from Dominic.

Saving for an education and helping other kids in need, all before he can say the words Happy Birthday.

Dominic’s Mom shares why she chose to ECHOage Dominic’s first birthday.

“We decided to use ECHOage so we could make this big event more meaningful. Instead of Dominic getting more toys he doesn’t need, we could put the funds toward starting his RESP.”

“We chose Plan Canada because we sponsor two children already with them and know that a small Screen Shot 2012-12-06 at 8.50.51 AMamount can make a big difference to children they support in less fortunate areas of the world”.

We can only imagine what you will do for your 2nd birthday, Dominic.

Happy, happy birthday sweet, little boy!

For their 7th birthday, Dylan and Jacob got a Nintendo DS, Mariokart and Super Mario. Autism Speaks got $797.50!

Posted: November 30, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Twins Jacob and Dylan decided to turn 7 in a very special way.  Talk about making an impact!  Who would ever think that two seven year old boys could give so much to children and families suffering from Autism? Ask Jacob and Dylan…
Jacob: ” I wanted to help Autism Speaks because it is really sad that there are kids who can’t talk or even know when something is funny, so we should help them.”
Dylan: “Autism is a really hard thing, and it is hard for the Mommies and Daddies too, so we want to help so that the scientists can continue their work more and more.”
Jenn, their loving Mom, is beaming with pride:
“When I explained to the boys what Autism is, and how it effects some of our closest friends and family, and that the money from their birthday party would help fund research that could one day help people we love, they didn’t hesitate.  They both thought it was a great idea. As a parent, you always question whether you are raising your children properly.  You want to teach them to be good people, but you are never sure if the lessons are getting through.  The experience with ECHOage really made me feel like I was really doing something right…I have never been so proud in my life.”
Jacob and Dylan

For her 5th birthday, Dylan got her own Ipod, and WWF got $260!

Posted: November 27, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Sonshine and Broccoli, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

 

Dylan turns 5!

Dylan is not your typical five-year-old.  Influenced by her music loving father, she is a girl who regularly listens to Sonshine and Broccoli, while dancing around her house.  She also sits eagerly each week and watches her older brothers play acoustic guitar with their teacher Brock, (aka: Broccoli).  Of course, we’re all wondering, how did this amazing girl end up with such a beautiful name like “Dylan” – must be… )

Dylan makes it clear: “I wanted my OWN iPod so that I didn’t have to borrow my brothers’ anymore. And, I wanted to help WWF because I love animals, i love nature, and I especially love pandas and monkeys and bats!

Louise, Dylan’s proud mother, adds:  “ECHOage helps me teach my children about being generous and caring. It is amazing that while teaching my daughter compassion, she also got to choose a big birthday gift. I recently heard her tell someone that the iPod she got was a gift from all of her friends. That is a gift she will always remember!”
Dylan, we are all singing your praises today.  Congratulations to a big five-year-old girl who made a big, lasting impact on us, on animals, and on many children to come.  Love ECHOage.

For her birthday, Tessa got books and a shopping spree at a local toy store. The George Hull Centre for Children and Families got $180.

Posted: November 21, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From the outside, this birthday party was just like every other birthday party: bowling, balloons and birthday cake, but Tessa had her own thoughts about how her 8th birthday party could become so much more.

Tessa's 8th Birthday Party

“I chose to support the George Hull Centre for Children and Families because I wanted to help kids who are sad or angry and don’t know what to do.  I’ve never done an ECHOage party before but I’m really glad I did it because it feels good to help people and I still get to have a fun party with all of my friends – we went bowling!”

The Centre provides professional consultation, support and family treatment for a broad range of problems affecting the mental health of children and youth.

Happy 8th birthday to you Tessa!  We hope that you had fun shopping at Mastermind Toys and Indigo.  We would love to hear all about the gifts and books that you chose.

You’ve already made this year extra special by reaching out and helping other young kids in need feel better!

For her birthday, Kira got a Best Buy gift card and Cancer Free Kids got $205!

Posted: November 16, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kira’s 10th Birthday

Meet Kira who turned 10 doing what she loves.  Kira chose to support Cancer Free Kids because she is part of the Kindness and Caring Club at her school and she is always looking for new ways to help others.  Cancer Free Kids is working everyday to eradicate cancer as a life-threatening disease in children by funding promising research that might otherwise go unfunded.
Kira chose her birthday gifts – Best Buy gift cards – because she really loves playing on her iTouch and her Nintendo DS, and now she can get more games.

Kira’s mom Ali had this to share about her special daughter:
“Kira has a heart for children who are ill and she wanted to help in any way she could. I love ECHOage because it is an excellent opportunity to open a child’s eyes to the bigger world. It helps them understand that there are people that need our help and this reiterates to her how blessed she is.  My daughter really wants to help others in need, and this was another great opportunity to share her love for people!”

Happy Birthday Kira from everyone at ECHOage who is watching you lead the way. 

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