Three Collierville children recently celebrated their birthdays by supporting Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center. Chad Lovelace, 10; Cody Gross, 13; and Ethan Martin, 10, invited their friends to contribute money to Le Bonheur instead of bringing birthday presents to their respective birthday parties.

Lisa Gross, Cody’s mother, said, “I thought the idea was absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t believe that Cody wanted to do this. I was so proud of Cody that he would do this to help other kids.”
Cody raised $400 for Le Bonheur. He learned about the Le Bonheur Birthday Club after his sister was invited to Chad Lovelace’s birthday party.

Chad was diagnosed with down syndrome at birth and his doctors discovered a heart defect. Chad has had three open heart surgeries, including one to insert a pacemaker. He raised $310 at his party which he used to purchase two red wagons to be used by patients at Le Bonheur. Chad gave his gift in honor of Dr. Dane Douglas, Chad’s cardiologist.

Following the parties that raise money for the hospital, the birthday child is invited to the hospital to see how his or her gift will be used. Ethan Martin brought the $155 he raised at his birthday party to Le Bonheur in July. Marty Geer, administrative director of perioperative services, took Ethan and his family on a tour of the hospital.

“Through the Le Bonheur Birthday Club children learn about philanthropy while supporting a cause that directly benefits them. It’s an easy way to show kids how they can make a difference in their community,” said Salton.

Hosting a birthday or another party to benefit Le Bonheur is easy.  To find out how, contact Liz Salton at Le Bonheur Foundation at 901.287.4440 or by e-mail at saltone@lebonheur.org.