Home charity begins early- Priya Rai and her son Dhillon raised over $3300 for the Make a Wish Foundation when she asked friends and family for cash instead of presents for Dhillon’s first birthday. 6

By Emma Sun
FOR one-year-old Dhillon Rai, lessons in charity began early – on his first birthday.
Dhillon’s mum Priya Rai, who runs a business in Narre Warren, figured out that cash gifts for her son’s birthday would be ideal to be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation.
“We thought we were going to have a big birthday for him and he’ll get lots of presents, but he’ll get bored of it anyway,” Ms Rai said.
“We thought we’d raise some money, and asked everyone to give gifts of donations instead, which we will give to the Make a Wish Foundation.”
About 300 friends and family were invited to Dhillon’s first birthday bash and about 50 families donated.
“Everyone who donated said it was a good idea and people from Make a Wish are quite happy with it,” Ms Rai said.
“I’ve always liked them and little kids, and because I have a baby now I wouldn’t want to be put in the position that (those families) are put in. They need all the help they can get.”
Ms Rai said Dhillon would be happy about what they did when he learnt about it later, adding that they would love to do it again.
“I’d like him to know why we did it,” Ms Rai said.
“It will help people out and he doesn’t need all that stuff. If we have another big one like this, we’ll probably do it again.” The family raised over $3300 for the Make a Wish Foundation.