Palmerton girl contributes joke for health book
Aniah Silva, 11, holds a calender from UnitedHealthcare showing children in need. Silva recently contributed her own joke to UHC’s “Birthday, Holiday and Celebration Jokes,” the proceeds of which will go toward medical bills for children in need. BRIAN W. MYSZKOWSKI/TIMES NEWS
They say a good sense of humor can do wonders for your health.
In that case, Aniah Silva, 11, deserves an honorary doctorate.
The Palmerton youth recently submitted a joke to the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation, which has published and sold children’s books since 2014, with proceeds helping cover medical costs for kids. Since 2007, the organization has awarded more than 15,000 grants totaling more than $39 million to children and their families across the country.
“The whole concept was to have fun and for this to be a way for kids to help other kids. We’re hoping the joke books will create awareness about the foundation’s child medical grant program so more families apply and receive grants,” Jennifer Statham, regional communications director for UnitedHealthcare, said.
Children around the country had an opportunity to submit their own joke, and Silva was one of the lucky few to be selected for one of this year’s publications — “Birthday, Holiday and Celebration Jokes.”
As it turns out, helping those in need is a cause near and dear to her heart.
“My mom told me that her job was doing this thing to help raise money for kids in need, and there was a book that they needed jokes for,” Aniah said.
The idea to pitch a joke for the book came from Aniah’s mother, Jennifer, who has close ties to UHC.
“I work for them, and I donate to them,” Jennifer Silva said. “So every year, they send us a calendar with the name of a child, and they detail ways that our donations help fund medical grants that are given to children with special needs. When I broke it down for her, she said ‘I want to do it!’ ”
Jennifer said that Aniah checks the calendar every month to see what child is featured, and the story behind their condition.
Aniah said she opted for a turkey joke because the prompt recommended Thanksgiving humor.
“My joke was ‘Why did the turkey cross the road? To prove he wasn’t a chicken!’” she said.
Check out Amazon to get a copy of the joke book for $5.99. It’s a great gift for a low price that supports a good cause, and it is bound to warm your heart, just like it does for Aniah.
“It made me feel good, because I know that I’m helping those kids get what they need, and I like to help people,” she said.
Families in need of medical assistance from UHC Children’s Foundation can fill out an application online at www.uhccf.org.
