Lin-Ley's 8th Birthday

Lin-Ley's birthday was in June but, again this year, she had her birthday party in August. For the past four years she has supported animal related organizations at her parties. Instead of presents for herself she collected animal food, treat and toys which we would later deliver to the organizations for distribution.

Last year, for her 7th birthday, Lin-Ley supported the Soldier Dogs for the third consecutive year. Through an organization named K-9 Support Lin-Ley was able to support military dogs working in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign locations through the donations received at her birthday party. For her support, Dogtopia gave Lin-Ley special recognition as "A Very Special Donor" on their website. There is a photo of Lin-Ley on the left of the web page from her 6th birthday party. Then, further down the page, there is a small paragraph about her efforts to help the Soldier Dogs. Click HERE to see Lin-Ley's recognition on the K-9 Support website.

Lin-Ley has written letters with each of her Soldier Dog donations. The director of K-9 Support included a copy of Lin-Ley's letter to the Soldier Dogs (and their humans) with the care packages being shipped all over the world that included Lin-Ley's donated items. This is Lin-Ley's photo and letter from last year (her 7th birthday):
Dear Soldier Dogs,
I have a surprise for you. Your surprise is dog stuff like food, toys and bones in the bag. You will have fun a lot with the toys and you will eat lots of healthy food.
I want to see a picture of a soldier dog. Can you send one to me on the computer please Soldiers?
I am 7 years old and I had a Purplicious Party and even the cupcakes were purple. It was fun! At my party my friends brought dog presents instead of human presents. Will the soldier dogs like the dog presents?
What are your dog names? Is it Diamond or Sugar or Sparkle or Sprinkle or Jack or Jacob?
Love,
Lin-Ley



The best part about her Soldier Dog donations last year was that she actually received an email back from a Soldier and several Soldier Dogs that were serving in Afghanistan. This is their letter and some photos:

Dear Ms Lin-Ley Herpin,

First of all thank you so much for all your support for our little fury friends. They are enjoying the gifts you have sent as I type this email. The Soldier Dogs love all of their presents and a couple of them sleep with their toys! A couple of their name's are Razzi (a Yellow Lab), Rreidy (a Black lab) and Mike (an old dog who loves his milk bones). I'll include some pictures of the dogs and a couple of us soldiers. Thank you for your support.


Robby Y (SSG Y)
Base Airborne
Afghanistan
US ARMY

This is Razzi playing with one of the toys Lin-Ley sent!

Needless to say, Lin-Ley was thrilled with this email and photos!!














OK - back to her 8th birthday!

This year Lin-Ley decided that she wanted to support the children who were at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Her school had collected donations for Johns Hopkins previously and she has always remembered the sick children in the hospital and wanted to do something for them. Tru was also a patient at Johns Hopkins, at a very critical time in his life, where he received wonderful care.
This year Lin-Ley asked her friends to donate new toys, craft items, art supplies, etc. to the Children's Center at Johns Hopkins instead of bringing a present for her. And the party began!

After making necklaces, bracelets and shrinky dinks for themselves the girls got busy making Get Well cards for the children at the hospital.




The finished products.
They made butterfly cards to included a lollipop (check out the googly eyes).


An up close view.


Then it was time for a Barbie movie. The girls were all very excited about the movie. As they watched I painted every one's fingernails with glitter polish.
Halfway through the movie they took a break for dinner.
Then back to the movie.



Almost time for birthday cake.










Lin-Ley's fifth annual photo with her birthday donations.
We were able to personally deliver the gifts to the Children's Center the following week. When we returned from our vacation last weekend there was a letter for Lin-Ley in the mail. It was from the director of the Child Life Department at Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

Dear Miss Lin-Ley,
I want to thank you for donating your eighth birthday party gifts to patients in Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The wonderful toys and games will make many children feel better while they are at the hospital. You have influenced our patients' lives in a very positive way.
We applaud your spirit of caring and appreciate your sharing so generously with our patients.
Sincerely,
P.B.

Lin-Ley is already planning her next birthday!

Quotes Of The Day:
Tru felt rather excluded at Lin-Ley's birthday party. He kept offering,
"Hey girls! Do any of you want to play in my room?"
And none of the girls really acknowledged him. He became very discouraged.
To further entice them to his room he suggested,
"I have a nap roll in my room. Does anyone want to come sleep with me on it?"

Oh boy!!