Wilmington Mom Sets Goal Of 6,205 Cards For Daughter's Birthday

WILMINGTON, MA — Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Jennifer Manning knew she wanted to make her daughter’s 17th birthday memorable. In recent years, something had always come up that prevented Manning from going to the lengths she wished she could to celebrate her oldest daughter’s big day. So this year, Manning determined, would be the year she made it happen.

Then, the coronavirus set in.

Undeterred, Manning decided she would seek to have 6,205 cards be delivered Isabel’s 17th birthday – one for each day the Shawsheen Tech junior has been alive. So far, Manning has managed to keep her plans for Saturday’s celebration a secret. Although she has no idea how many cards her effort will generate for Isabel, who is studying toward one day becoming a trauma nurse, Manning hopes the cards that pour in will make the day special for a teenager who has seen so many meaningful days and events disappear because of the pandemic.

In addition not being able to not move ahead with her plans this spring to become a certified nursing assistant, Isabel was scheduled to attend her first prom this year. When the pandemic pushed her delayed her becoming a CNA until this fall and and kept her from finishing out the school year Manning knew she had do something to help commemorate Isabel's birthday.

“ I knew in my heart of hearts once everything started taking place, (hopes to get back to normal by May 9) were just going down and not up,” Manning said on Wednesday. “I knew we would pretty much be on a lockdown.”

As Manning thought how to plan something special, she tried to imagine something that wouldn’t require a great deal of effort on people’s part. Isabel was watching Gov. Charlie Baker’s announcement that students would not return to school this year when she realized her birthday would be impacted, which just added to the list of disappointment she had already experienced.

So Manning set out to have more than 6,200 cards arrive by May 9 celebrating a determined, goal-oriented teenager who not only loves playing and coaching soccer, but who has gotten a job to assist with her family’s financial responsibilities and who, as a 15-year-old freshman, saved her father Bill’s life when she realized he was experiencing a medical emergency. Before Bill – who thought he was experiencing indigestion – had a massive heart attack and required surgery that showed 90 percent blockage, Isabel – who was home alone at the time – realized what was happening and called 911 as well as alerting both of her parent’s workplaces of what was happening.

“It was if she ordering a pizza she just stayed so calm,” Manning said. “…But if (Bill) didn’t have her there, he wouldn’t be here. She got him just in time.”

Isabel has told her mother that if it were possible, she would want to work on the frontlines, helping the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. And although that part of her daughter’s life isn’t possible right now, Manning – who also has a surprise car parade planned for Saturday - is hoping to find ways to make this chapter of life special through a delivery of birthday cards that she will receive on Saturday.

Manning has no idea how many cards will be ready for delivery on Saturday, but she knows that every card or note will be appreciated.

“If she got 20 cards, it would be more cards than she has ever gotten for her birthday,” Manning said. “But I think a little past that.”

To participate, cards can be mailed to:

Jennifer Manning

Care of: We’re One Wilmington (WOW)

P.O. Box 455

Wilmington, MA 01887

Or

Jennifer Manning

Care of WOW

314 Main Street, Unit 105

Wilmington, MA 01887