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

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

Friends help friends through a birthday party. Autism Speaks got $265. Paloma and Ariana got a new Swing Set!

Posted: October 23, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Birthday Gifts, Charity, ECHOage Birthday Parties, Gifts, Stories about children | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Paloma and Ariana

It is easy to help a friend in need, even when you are only 3! Just ask these twins, Paloma and Ariana, and their wonderful mom, Tara.  They have a friend, a boy, with moderate to severe Autism.  He has been receiving therapy and support and has made so much progress. “He is such an amazing, happy, sweet child.” says Tara. “We wanted to give back in any way we could and hoped that other children with Autism will receive the help and support our friend did. So we chose Autism Speaks Canada.”  Tara also felt a swing set would be a great gift for her girls: “We thought it would be the perfect gift since it will last for many years and also be used by the friends who helped our girls get it for their birthday,” added Tara.  We usually congratulate children on our blog, and their incredible impact, but today we thank you, Tara.  Your words are ever lasting.