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This year, Penelope & Huxley are doing something different for their birthdays.
They are dedicating it to the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Help them out by not buying them a gift this year.
Buy the kids of St. Jude a gift instead — the gift of another birthday.
Penelope & Huxley's goal is to raise $1000
$500 helps St. Jude provide one day of oxygen for a St. Jude patient.
*we are using her fundraising page from her 5th Birthday so that it keeps track of all that has been raised
Since Penelope was just one year old, she was taught about the importance of giving. Every year before Christmas, all of her toys were donated before she received any new toys. This practice helped to instill the importance of giving to others. It was clear from an early age, that Penelope's heart was bigger than her body. It became routine for her to give before she received and would set in motion the next few years. Penelope would begin to look for every opportunity she could to do something for others.
When Penelope was just three years old, she participated in a Trike-A-Thon for St. Jude. She was inspired by a little girl named Helen Tully. She saw a picture of her riding an awesome bike and wanted to know why her bike was so cool. When I explained that Helen was very sick and receiving treatment at St. Jude, she wanted to do everything possible to make sure she had money to "buy the medicine" she needed. In just a few short weeks, she raised over $1000 going door to door in our neighborhood and visiting local stores to ask for donations. She has had a heart for the charity ever since.
At four years old, Penelope participated in a fundraiser for Homes For Our Troops. She learned of a local soldier and father that lost his limbs. She was very concerned about how he would be able play with children. She made it her mission to raise all that she could to help build him a new one story home that would allow him to enjoy his kids. She raised over $1800.00 making videos requesting donations and again going around the community.
Penelope dedicated her 5th birthday to the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and asked for donations instead of gifts. She raised a total of $3445 from friends and family who donated in honor of her birthday. She also contributed to her own fundraiser by selling her old toys and clothing throughout the year.
At six years old, Penelope raised over $1000 and used the money to purchase sleeping bags, toiletries, and snacks for the homeless that she donated to BeMoreCaring.
Now that Penelope is older, she sells her toys and uses the money to purchase brand new toys for children in need for Christmas. She loved being able to shop for things that children her age would like and was able to purchase 175 new toys last year! The excitement and joy she had that day was incredible to witness.
We couldn't be more proud of all that she has accomplished and we can't wait to see what else she comes up with!
Huxley is just getting started and will hopefully follow in his big sisters footsteps.
It's our job as parents to teach our children and lead by example.
Why St. Jude?
Since opening in 1962, treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
That's right: the best care in the world, for free, because of people like us. Now that's something worth celebrating.