Dylan Levin of Chicago wanted to do something special for his Bar Mitzvah in March.

In lieu of gifts, he asked his guests to donate to the Stuttering Foundation.

Dylan, who has had a speech disfluency since he was 5 years old, says he feels connected to the Stuttering Foundation and wanted to help others.

Dylan wrote to the Foundation about the Bar Mitzvah. “It was a wonderful day and evening for me.”

He continued, “I would hope that this money will help in some way toward research, therapy, and other resources that can assist in helping people of all ages.”

“Dylan’s thoughtfulness will help other young people who stutter,” said Jane Fraser, president of the Foundation. “It shows what an exceptional young man he is.”