It all started with my Birthday...
My name is Landon and I am ten years old. I like to like climb trees, play with my brother, play the violin,read, and just play, but I also like to help people in need. I mean, I really like to help people in need. Back when I was six years old, I was thinking about my birthday party and what I wanted, but I realized I had so much. I figured I would like to help some other people who might need it more. Then I thought, I wanted to help children. I asked my mom where there might be some children I could help in my local area, and she said she knew just the place. She mentioned, CIC, The Children’s Neighborhood. I felt like that idea was perfect for me. Instead of getting presents for my birthday, I asked my friends to bring money for The Children’s Neighborhood. We collected $160! It was amazing how my heart felt. We went down to the neighborhood and gave them the money. But, I felt like I wanted to do more. I thought how great it would be if all the kids in my school would do the same thing. So I got to work! First, I went and spoke to the principal to see if we could make this idea happen. Then I came up with a name for the program, “Give a Birthday.” I made posters, gave announcements, gave speeches, sent out handouts, and talked to my friends about it. Then, we even put a plaque at the front of the school to motivate more participants. Kids started signing up. Now, almost two years later, we have had nineteen children participants and three adults, and we have raised over $5000! "Give a Birthday" doesn't end here! Every elementary school in the whole county is getting involved with this program through the Change for Children Campaign. My hopes for the program are that a lot of people sign up and The Children’s Neighborhood gets a lot of help. I can't wait to see how much progress we can make now that the whole county is involved! I did this program to help CIC, The Children’s Neighborhood, but it also warms my heart. My heart is burning right now just thinking about it! I have given two of my birthday’s so far and I’m only asking you to give one!