For Everett's first birthday our family sent us pinwheels with handwritten messages to him on each one. We placed them in planters on our front porch where they stayed all spring and summer until our move to Wisconsin. Now, they have a presence throughout our home - including Daisy’s room and Kate’s office (the perfect background for Zoom meetings). As spring arrives, we look forward to putting them outside again and hope you will join us by sending your own pinwheel messages to Everett in honor of his birthday.

For every photo of a Pinwheel shared on social media using the hashtag #PinwheelsForEverett, the What Everett Takes Foundation will make a donation to Hope for HIE, the premiere worldwide organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families affected by HIE through Awareness, Education & Support.

You can purchase pinwheels online through retailers like Amazon and Oriental Trading Co.  

Already have some craft paper at home? Click here for a step by step guide (credit Nora Nalle/The Spruce Crafts). 

Here's an easy video tutorial as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0Rugzrpgv8

You can also google "DIY Pinwheels" and lots of different methods will pop up. 

Once your pinwheels are assembled you can write birthday messages to Everett, and either place your pinwheels outside, on your windows or walls inside your home. Take a picture/video and send them to whateveretttakes@gmail.com or post on Instagram.  Tag @what_everett_takes and use the hashtag #pinwheelsforeverett. Thank you for joining us in honoring Everett.