The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Lauren Isaac © Brandy Isaac

by Maree Stewart

How can one child make a difference? For her "Let's Make a Difference" birthday party in November, four-year-old Lauren Isaac of Glenview, Illinois chose to donate to The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees program, raising $600 to plant 600 trees in South America.

Lauren's mother, Brandy Isaac, explains that the "Let's Make a Difference" parties are a family tradition, wherein her children celebrate their birthdays by raising money for a cause of their choice. "I'm teaching my children that they have the ability and responsibility to make a difference in this world," she says. This year, Brandy helped Lauren choose The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees program because Lauren "loves nature," and the concept that each dollar plants a tree is empowering for those who donate.

Brandy hopes to inspire other families to host their own "Let's Make a Difference' parties. "Lauren feels like a million bucks because she is responsible for planting 600 trees in this world," Brandy says.