A Ladner youngster decided the best gift of all for his birthday is the gift of giving.
Jimmy Douglas held his recent seventh birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's in Langley, but instead of presents, Jimmy asked his friends to bring a cash donation for Reach Child and Youth Development Society.
Jimmy's friends weren't surprised at his request. It is the second year he has bestowed birthday donations to Reach. In two years of giving, Jimmy's birthday has generated over $500 for Reach.
Reach is a non-profit organization based in East Ladner that helps children and youth with special needs, including children with autism, Down syndrome, F.A.S.D. and other developmental disabilities.
The money from Jimmy's birthday donation will go towards Reach's Building for Children Together capital campaign, and help build a child development centre in Ladner for children with special needs.
The children were more than happy to donate to charity for a birthday present. In fact, one of Jimmy's friends, Braden, gave money that he earned from his chores to help Jimmy make his donation.
When asked why he requested donations instead of presents for his birthday, Jimmy said, "I wanted to help other children."
He added that it made him feel "really good inside" to help children with special needs.
Jimmy knows all about how Reach helps children with special needs through his mother, Agnes, who was a director on the Reach Foundation board. She is now a key member of the Reach events committee helping to organize Reach for the Stars: An Evening of Inspiration on Feb. 23.
The event will be held at the Sacred Heart School in Ladner and will be hosted by Chris Gailus, News Hour anchor for Global BC. Tickets are $65.
To learn more about Reach or to get tickets for Reach for the Stars: An Evening of Inspiration, visit www.reachdevelopment.org or call 604-946-6622 ext.0.
