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Published on 05/19/1999 All articles from this issue

6-year-old celebrates birthday by giving to Kosovo refugees

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By Charles Dahan

Special to the Town Crier

Mana Jabbour, a 6-year-old resident of Los Altos Hills, said no thanks to birthday presents this year and reminded us all about the spirit of giving. After seeing the plight of the Kosovo refugees on the national news, she decided that she wanted to help.

On April 12, Mana's sixth birthday, she asked the nine friends who attended her party to make contributions to the American Red Cross International Response Fund instead of giving her presents.

In total, Mana's guests contributed $300 for the Red Cross humanitarian relief efforts.

That money will be used by the Red Cross to purchase supplies such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mattresses, and blankets for the Kosovo refugees, according to officials at the Palo Alto chapter.

When asked why she chose to help the refugees in this way, Mana said, "I didn't want the people to have a bad life."

"I'm really delighted," said Mana's mother, Shida. "The spirit of giving and caring about others is alive and well in our Los Altos community. It's a good message. Now her sister (Maya) wants to do the same thing."

Those interested in supporting the people affected by the crisis in Yugoslavia can send contributions to the American Red Cross by calling 1-800 HELP-NOW or more information can be accessed at www.redcross.org.