Meet Kareem
Kareem loves people. He just wants people to choose him back.
Kareem is 17 and loves music, dancing, Broadway, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Aladdin, games and Philadelphia sports.
Kareem has Down syndrome, autism, and apraxia of speech. He has undergone more than a dozen surgeries and has experienced bullying, disability-based harassment, exclusion and social isolation. He is also outgoing, joyful and eager to be part of the action whenever he is included.
His mother says no friend has ever come to his birthday, and he has never been invited to a peer’s birthday party.
🎵 Music
🕺 Dancing
🎭 Broadway
✨ Disney
⚡ Marvel
🏀 Philly sports
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Be a Friend to Kareem
YOU’RE INVITED!
BE A FRIEND TO KAREEM
Community Birthday Celebration
Sunday, October 25, 2026 • 1:00–4:00 PM
Crestmont Park • 2595 Rubicam Ave, Willow Grove, PA 19090
Everyone is welcome.
Celebrate friendship • Stand up to bullying & exclusion
Kareem loves people. He just wants people to choose him back.
Kareem is 17 and loves music, dancing, Broadway, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Aladdin, games and Philadelphia sports.
Kareem has Down syndrome, autism, and apraxia of speech. He has undergone more than a dozen surgeries and has experienced bullying, disability-based harassment, exclusion and social isolation. He is also outgoing, joyful and eager to be part of the action whenever he is included.
His mother says no friend has ever come to his birthday, and he has never been invited to a peer’s birthday party.
“I am not looking for material gifts for Kareem. If even one real friendship came from this event, it would mean everything to him, and to me.”
— Maryanne Bayoumy
The birthday is the gathering point. Friendship is the goal.
CHERAB Circle of Friends brings communities together around children and young people who have been bullied, isolated or left out. This celebration is a chance to put inclusion into action.
“The party itself is the mechanism. We bring people together around one child, raise awareness about differences, foster acceptance and compassion, and give children a chance to experience inclusion in action. The party lasts a few hours. The message and connections last far longer.”
— Lisa Geng, President, The CHERAB Foundation
Friendship
Come meet Kareem, bring your family and help create the kind of community where people are included instead of overlooked.
Acceptance
The event is designed to foster compassion, understanding and comfort around differences.
Community
Families, neighbors, businesses, entertainers, first responders and community organizations are welcome.
A fun afternoon built for connection
Live music & dancing
Music, entertainment and plenty of chances to get Kareem and the crowd moving.
Games & activities
Family-friendly ways to join in, have fun and make new connections.
Food
Food and refreshments will be part of the celebration. Additional pastries, desserts, and baked goods are being generously donated by Weinrich’s Bakery.
Cake & celebration
Ann’s Cake Pan is generously donating Kareem’s Eagles-themed 17th birthday cake for the celebration.
Special arrival
Little Smiles PA is helping create a limousine experience and a celebration Kareem will remember.
More surprises being added
More activities, special guests and community surprises are still being added. Guests may also be surprised by a few special costumed or cosplay character appearances throughout the celebration. Check back for updates as the celebration gets closer!
He loves being part of the action
A few moments that capture Kareem’s joy, humor and love of being included.
A community effort built with heart
CHERAB Foundation, through its Circle of Friends program, is bringing the celebration together with help from people and organizations who care about making Kareem feel seen, welcomed and celebrated.
CHERAB FoundationThrough its Circle of Friends program
CHERAB Foundation is organizing Kareem’s community celebration through its Circle of Friends program, which brings friendship, inclusion and community support to children and young people who have experienced bullying, exclusion or isolation.
Little Smiles PA
Little Smiles PA is helping make Kareem’s day especially memorable through significant event support, including his special arrival experience, entertainment and other elements of the celebration.
The Brave Little Bears Foundation
Kristen Everett and The Brave Little Bears Foundation are supporting Kareem’s celebration through community outreach and photography coordination. Kristen connected CHERAB with Ruth Thomas, who is now confirmed to photograph Kareem’s October 25 celebration.
Eagles Autism Foundation
Providing a special gift for Kareem.
Weinrich’s Bakery
Generously donating additional pastries, desserts, and baked goods for the celebration.
Ann’s Cake Pan
Generously donating Kareem’s Eagles-themed 17th birthday cake for the celebration.
Rose Williams / Memories Created for You
Donating decorating services and transforming the clubhouse.
Boricua Party Rentals
Donating three games for the event: Cornhole, Giant Jenga, and Giant Connect Four.
Ruth Thomas / Captured Photography 1122
Official event photographer for Kareem’s October 25 celebration. Website • Instagram @capturedphotography1122
Additional community organizations, businesses, entertainers, photographers and volunteers will be added as participation is confirmed.
Help make the celebration special
We welcome donated goods and services that can add to Kareem’s celebration, including cake or desserts, refreshments, decorations and party supplies, family-friendly games and activities, face painting, balloon artists, entertainers, music, photography or videography, printing and signage, and other fun experiences. Local businesses, first responders, community organizations and groups are also invited to participate and help surround Kareem with friendship and support. This celebration is about friendship, not material gifts for Kareem.
SHOW UP FOR KAREEM
Bring your family, introduce yourself and help fill the park with friendship.
HELP MAKE THE DAY SPECIAL
Contribute an activity, service, food, entertainment or other event support.
SPREAD THE WORD
Invite friends, neighbors, schools, community groups and organizations to join us.
Want to participate or help?
Lisa Geng, CHERAB Foundation
772-919-1417
lisa@cherab.org
Event page: cherab.org/Kareem
Creating friendship before bullying and isolation become someone’s normal.
CHERAB Circle of Friends is a proactive anti-bullying and inclusion initiative of the CHERAB Foundation. These community celebrations focus attention on a child or young person who has experienced exclusion, then invite the wider community to show what acceptance, compassion and friendship look like in real life.
The party may last only a few hours. The message and the connections last much longer.
Kareem’s Story Is Reaching More People
Local journalists are helping spread Kareem’s invitation to friendship ahead of October 25. Read the stories and help share his message.
Watch with sound ❤️
“Save You a Seat”
Song and lyrics by Lisa Geng
Watch on YouTube
Featured by Four Local News Publications
Glenside Local
Community birthday celebration for 17-year-old with Down syndrome, autism to be held in Willow Grove on Oct. 25
MONTCO.Today
CHERAB Foundation Rallies Abington Township Around Kareem Bayoumy’s Friendship Birthday
Michael-Paul Kidd’s story, also published by PHILADELPHIA.Today and VISTA.Today.
PHILADELPHIA.Today
CHERAB Foundation Rallies Abington Township Around Kareem Bayoumy’s Friendship Birthday
Regional publication of Michael-Paul Kidd’s story.
VISTA.Today
CHERAB Foundation Rallies Abington Township Around Kareem Bayoumy’s Friendship Birthday
Chester County edition of Michael-Paul Kidd’s story, October 17.
Thank you to the journalists and publications helping more people hear Kareem’s story.
Cherab Has Been Bringing Communities Together for Children for More Than 25 Years
For more than 25 years, the Cherab Foundation has brought communities together to support children and families. Kareem’s friendship celebration continues that mission — surrounding a child who deserves support, friendship, and inclusion with a community that shows up.
National media coverage: Inside Edition featured CHERAB Foundation’s friendship birthday celebration for William Morales.