Local Girl Uses Birthday as Fundraiser for Make-a-Wish Foundation

Newtown resident Sarah Porter’s 11th birthday party was just like most others.  

Except one thing was missing—gifts.

That’s because Porter, a Goodnoe Elementary School student, asked her friends not to bring gifts and instead make donations to The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

For the second year in a row, Sarah used her birthday as a way to help a good cause. So far, with the help of her friends, Sarah’s 10th and 11th birthday parties have raised $1,750 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

During the party, all of the guests not only gave donations but also wrote uplifting “Thinking of You” greeting cards to be distributed to other children through the Make-A-Wish foundation.  

Sarah’s sister, Grace, made blue and white bracelets to be distributed to the “Wish Kids” along with the greeting cards. Party favors included matching t-shirts that read “My friends and I helped someone Make-A-Wish”. 

“All of the girls at the party are a part of a very conscientious generation of kids who are always thinking about the world around them and how to make it better. They have wisdom beyond their years and have very big hearts as well,” said Sarah’s mother, Bonnie. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical. Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 62 chapters in the United States and its territories.

For more information or to make a contribution, call 1-877-ONE WISH or visit www.philadelphia.wish.org.

Photo caption: Make-A-Wish Supporters pictured back row left to right:  Katie Sukunda, Gracie Baker, Lindsay Lamberti, Bella Muscara, Amanda Stone, Abby McAleer, Kayla Schram,  Front row left to right: Brynn Casey, Carla Eboli,  Jamie Traub, Sarah Porter, Anna Lee, Erin Stone, Abby Steadman, Mackenzie Farley, and Grace Porter.