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Plano Boys Donate Birthday Wishes to Callier Center

UT Dallas hosted a special birthday party this week for two little boys who used their own birthday bash to raise money for speech-language services at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

Grant Robbins, 8, and Garrett, 6, asked their friends to make donations to Callier, in lieu of gifts, at the pool party they enjoyed back in August. Grant and Garrett, along with little brother Gavin, 2, have worked with Callier speech language pathologists for several years.

Callier Center, UT Dallas

From left: Dr. Thomas Campbell, Dr. David E. Daniel; Renee and Greg Robbins; with the Robbins children, Garrett, Gavin and Grant.

The boys’ friends donated close to $400, which was then matched by Renee and Greg Robbins, their parents. When the family visited Callier’s Richardson facility to drop off the donation, they were greeted by “Star Wars” cupcakes, an enthusiastic rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” and a visit from Dr. David Daniel, president of UT Dallas.

“Callier has been like a second family to us over these last four years,” Mrs. Robbins said. “The Callier team has always been there for us, reassuring us that we would get through this, and our boys would be fine.”

Several Callier clinicians worked with the boys, students at Plano’s Barksdale Elementary School, to help them overcome speech articulation disorders. Since undergoing therapy, the boys are talking much more clearly, and their “confidence has soared,” Mr. Robbins said.

Callier Center, UT Dallas

Grant and Garrett Robbins received mini-Temocs and UT Dallas hats as keepsakes.

During the celebration, the boys got to see what their generosity purchased: two new iPads for Callier speech pathologists. The devices will offer new ways to engage and treat young patients.

“What a heartfelt example of appreciation we’ve received from you boys,” Daniel said. “It is our privilege to have played a small role in helping you.”

Among the other special guests at the party were Dr. Thomas Campbell, Callier’s executive director, and Dr. Aaron Conley, vice president for development and alumni relations at UT Dallas. The boys received mini-Temocs and UT Dallas hats as keepsakes from their grateful friends at Callier.

“They did something for me, so I wanted to do something for them,” Grant said, after seeing the iPads.

Asked whether they enjoyed helping out future Callier patients, Garrett smiled, gave a big thumbs up and went back to enjoying his cupcake.

Media Contact: The Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].

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