This year, Marissa Reardon celebrated her 9th birthday with friends and family and asked that instead of giving her presents that they give contributions to Boston Children’s Museum. She came to the Museum recently and handed Becca Sorkin, Annual Fund Manager, $210 as her birthday gift to our Annual Fund!

Marissa is the daughter of Sean and Dawn Reardon, both teachers with the Lawrence Public Schools. She is also a member of Girl Scout Troop 383, which meets at her house. She swims for Magnus Aquatic Group and takes dance classes. Even though she loves playing with her friends, riding her bike and jumping on her trampoline, she is learning how to give back to others.

This is the fourth year that Marissa has given to selected organizations including her church, Jimmy Fund, the Boys & Girls Club, and a respite center. Marissa’s parents have taught her that even though they live on limited finances, Marissa “has enough and that she should think of others first,” her father says. They have instilled this in her from an early age, when the family began raising money for “Sean’s Team,” which funded a bone marrow drive when her father was diagnosed with leukemia. Marissa is a true inspiration to all who meet her.