#YMCCommunity Member, Shannon Mischuk doesn't believe in forcing her children to do something before their hearts are ready because the impact won’t be the same. So when her younger son announced he wanted to have a birthday party where the gifts would go to someone else, she knew exactly what she had to do.
Shannon Mischuk“To give is better than to receive.”
That's not just a phrase my parents repeated over the last four decades of my life and one I’ve made sure is present in my children’s day-to-day lives.
As a family, for the last two decades, we have financially and physically supported orphanages, medical clinics, schools, and farms from northern Ontario, Canada to Guyana to Romania to South Africa. Our children have helped us raise money for these humanitarian trips by collecting bottles, taking part in car washes, bake sales, and everything in between.
For us, giving back isn’t just a good idea that some day we will do. It’s not just suppertime discussions. We live it.
My two youngest boys are now 8 and 11, and they are beginning to see the needs others have and realize they are blessed beyond measure. We can’t force them to do something before their hearts are ready—the impact just wouldn't be the same.
So you can imagine my excitement when my youngest son, who turns 9 in August, came to me and suggested that for his next birthday party he’d like to do something for others.
The conversation went something like this…
Do you love the idea of throwing a birthday party that gives back? Read these articles and learn how you can throw a birthday party that will make a difference in the life of a child.
Then make your next birthday one to remember by registering for Plan Canada’s Gifts of Hope: Birthday Registry.
Simply invite your friends to purchase that are meaningful to you, then enjoy your special day knowing that your birthday gifts will make a lasting difference in the lives of children.
This is proudly sponsored by our friends at Plan Canada.
www.plancanada.ca/birthdayregistry
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