Erin checked the calendar. She could see the red circle around one of the dates on the calendar. It really was a red letter day — her birthday! She would be eight years old.
Erin was looking forward to her birthday party, but she had been thinking hard about what presents she wanted to get. She knew there had been a terrible storm along the Gulf Coast . Many people had had to leave their homes. Many homes had been destroyed by the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina . For days, news stories on TV had showed people on the roofs of houses waiting to be rescued. Erin saw many children just like her. What would they do, she wondered. Where would they get clothes, or toys or school supplies, or a place to live?
Suddenly she knew just what she wanted for her birthday. When she talked to her parents, they agreed it would be the perfect gift!
On the day of her party, her classmates and friends arrived at her house. Then everyone celebrated with birthday cake and ice cream, just like any birthday. They sang happy birthday and played games, just like any birthday. But when it was time to open presents, each friend handed her a crisp new $5.00 bill instead. When the party was over, Erin counted the money. There was $175.00!
Erin presented the money to the pastor of her church, The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell in Caldwell, New Jersey. The church sent the money on to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to be used to help the people hurt by Katrina.
Erin's parents are very proud of her. She has shown that kids can make a difference.
Pray for the families who live on the Gulf Coast. Pray for those who are still living far away who would like to return.
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