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TwitThisThe Cause: Autism Speaks
St. Louis, Missouri -- When eight-year-old Lou Steinberg asked his parents if he could invite thirty friends to his ninth-birthday party, Linda and Les Steinberg presented him with an alternative suggestion. They told him that he could have the proposed thirty guests at his party if he did not accept gifts, since the Steinbergs' basement was already full of toys. If Lou wanted gifts, he would have to have a smaller party. After the family discussed the two options, Lou decided to have the larger party and ask his friends' parents to make a donation to the charity of his choosing in lieu of a present.
According to Mrs. Steinberg, "Lou decided that he was going to ask for donations instead of birthday gifts because he wanted to help [his autistic friend] Jack and other autistic kids he knows." Jack's parents told the Steinbergs about Autism Speaks, an organization that raises money for research about autism's causes, prevention, treatments, and possible cure.
After the party was over and the envelopes had been opened, the Steinbergs were astounded to learn of their friends' immense generosity. Lou raised over $800, which he presented to Autism Speaks. The organization was so impressed with the nine-year-old's kindness and selflessness that it honored him with a certificate at its annual dinner.
Lou enjoyed donating the money to Autism Speaks so much that he repeated the tradition on his tenth birthday. He also participates in the annual St. Louis Autism Speaks walk as part of a team called Jack's Journey. His parents are extremely proud of their budding philanthropist and remark that Lou does not even miss the truckloads of toys he received for previous birthdays. Lou says, "It makes me feel like a hero. Helping other kids gives me a great feeling. And making their parents happy is even more of a pleasure. It makes me feel like they can trust me. I want kids to get an equal amount of the life I have."
-- Submitted by Linda Steinberg
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