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The new normal brought a lot of changes on how people live on a day-to-day basis, including how celebrations are conducted. With the limitations imposed by the community quarantine to prevent the virus from spreading, the usual birthday dinners and gatherings have now been replaced by group video calls with friends and families attending from their own homes. Gift-giving has also taken on a different form and Save the Children supporter Isabel chose to celebrate her 26th birthday this year by asking her loved ones for donations for children.
Isabel always wanted to use her birthday as an opportunity to give back. Seeing how children and their families were affected by the pandemic motivated her to become a #HeroFromHome and raise funds in support of Save the Children’s COVID-19 response.
“I've always wanted to do this and I felt like this is the right time. The past few months made us feel like the world has somehow stopped and I wanted to use my birthday as a chance to remind everyone that we can get through this together,” said Isabel when asked about her motivation to start her birthday fundraiser.
Her goal was to raise at least Php 26,000 to symbolically mark her 26th year and she was able to reach 85% of her target just a few days leading up to her birthday. According to her, setting up this fundraiser was also an act of paying it forward as she was inspired by all the people who have genuinely loved and supported her. She hopes that the children who will be helped by her donation will feel the same love and inspiration.
“One of the lessons I’ve learned in life is that there will always be challenges along the way but if we remember to be kind to one another, we make each day better for another person and that kindness will continue to pass on to other people,” shared Isabel.
Her family members and friends came together online to celebrate the special day with her as they donated and left heartfelt messages on her fundraiser page. Her meaningful celebration inspired those around her as she chose to think of others on her birthday.
The donations raised through Isabel’s fundraiser will help provide hygiene kits for children and their families, personal protective equipment for community health workers, and hot meals for doctors and other medical staff.
You can become a #HeroFromHome today! Sign up at bit.ly/herofromhome