Cards from around the U.S. celebrate Modesto girl’s birthday

When Virginia Parent turned 5 recently, all she wanted for her birthday was cards.

“We had been learning about the states, and she has been helping with my charity where I mail cards to autistic children,” Danielle Parent said of her daughter, who has a mild form of autism and some other health issues.

Parent posted messages in a few autism social media groups and sent messages to friends. The response was overwhelming.

Cards have been coming in from around the country. Some had small amounts of money included; with it, Parent bought Virginia a tee-ball set and some bouncy balls to share with her siblings.

“We’d just like to say thank you,” Danielle Parent said. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude.”

The only postmarks Virginia didn’t have, as of Thursday, were Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Vermont. Anyone who would like to send a card to Virginia can email Danielle at dparent31@yahoo.com.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Cards from around the U.S. celebrate Modesto girl’s birthday."