My son, Harry, who some of you have watched grow up on this blog celebrated his 10th Birthday! It seems like just yesterday when Harry's tooth was loose and Wanna, a Cambodian blogger, taught us about the Cambodian tooth fairy.
As we were singing happy birthday, I realized that Harry is growing up with having social networks and generosity in his life. This is not limited to external trends, but we're trying to model philanthropic behavior in this house. He has watched his mother celebrate her birthday and use it as an excuse to raise money for the Sharing Foundation, a charity that cares for kids in Cambodia.
He's too young to set up a birthday campaign on Facebook Causes and asked me to donate $10 to the Sharing Foundation. He hopes that you too will consider donating $10 to the Sharing Foundation in honor of his birthday.
The Sharing Foundation's core volunteers are, like me, parents of adopted children from Cambodia. And, like our family, they want to encourage their children to give back to Cambodia. Whether it is cash donations or in-kind contributions, part of the holiday season, as a birthdway wish or just because it is important for us to support work that takes care of children in his birth country. Harry is not the only Cambodian adoptee who supports the Sharing Foundation. Kanaha S, also adopted from Cambodia, asked her guests to donate new underwear for Roteang Orphanage children in lieu of gifts at her 8th birthday!
This year, I'm sitting out the America's Giving Challenge, but this group volunteers, parents of Cambodian adopted children, and board members took the plunge into Facebook. I'm doing a little coaching from the sidelines. They don't expect to win the grand prize, but have doubled the number of people and dollars in the TSF Facebook Cause!
So make a donation of $10 or more between before the Challenge ends on November 7th, help Harry's birthday wish come true.
You can contribute to the Sharing Foundation here.
Happy 10th Bday Harry! Here's hoping your wish comes true and that lots of boys and girls also ten in Cambodia get to celebrate with you when they receive support from the Sharing Foundation. Thanks also for letting us 'watch' you grow up :) and take us with you. (And you read my mind too cuz I was thinking I hadn't seen a video of you since your move but I've been kinda not keeping up with your mom's lightening bolt speed as much as I should). Hope you are loving San Francisco and having fun at your new school and here's to being the bestest age of being a kid: 10!!! :)
Posted by: Tresha Thorsen | October 29, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Hi Beth. Congrats on Harry turning 10!!
Something is amiss with this Causes page: Sharing Foundation: Helping to Care for Cambodia's Children
Invite Friends, Home, About, Members, Impact, but nowhere is there a button or link that says Donate.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=698512623 | October 30, 2009 at 12:08 AM
I clicked through from your Twitter post because my son Nicholas just turned 10 last week and I was curious, did Harry want the same Legos Nicholas had on his list? Or maybe a video game? Or a bike? Nope. Donate to the Sharing Foundation! Impressive boy you have there. Heading on over to make a donation on behalf of Nicholas. Happy birthday Harry!
Posted by: Mary | October 30, 2009 at 03:46 AM
Ditto Mary. I have a 10 and a 13 year old, and my ten year old is all about the Legos and video games. I'm truly impressed. On my way over too...You have a very special boy and obviously are doing a wonderful job raising him. Congrats and Happy Birthday, Harry!
Posted by: Michele P | October 30, 2009 at 05:54 AM
It's working for me - causes must have had problems
http://www.causes.com/donations/select_donation_method?cause_id=47482&recruiter_id=230140
Posted by: Beth | October 30, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Happy Birthday to Harry! $25 - done and done.
Posted by: John Haydon | October 30, 2009 at 08:06 AM
OK, that link worked, thanks! Causes confused this with another Cause I'd previously given to (Drew) ...
Posted by: JD | October 30, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Happy Birthday Harry...I joined TSF Facebook Cause! hopefully to get more donations and help more children in Cambodia.
Blessings to you and your family.
Posted by: Trinity - Web and Graphic Designer, Canada | November 04, 2009 at 03:34 AM
Happy Birthday! Mighty fine of the kid to think about charity at that age. I know I didn't! Of course that's been changed since then so 10$ it is!
Posted by: Jackson | November 04, 2009 at 04:08 AM
Happy Birthday! It is amazing to see a 10 year old ask for donations to a charity rather than gifts. They are our future and to start teaching them young the importance of giving back is key to our success in the future. Great job with Harry! Truly inspiring to see youth so willing to give back!
Posted by: Mallory | November 04, 2009 at 10:24 AM