HATTIESBURG, MS (WHDH) — When it comes to birthdays, most kids want a big party and lots of presents.
But one girl in Mississippi had something different in mind.
She gave up toys and gifts to help animals in her community.
“Well at first, I did want presents,” Payton Burroughs, 9, said. “Then I thought about how much I love animals and I decided to make donations instead of people bringing me presents. ”
Payton forfeited her gifts so she could make a special delivery to the Southern Pines Animal Shelter.
“I wanted them to bring me toys, leashes and food to the animals,” she said. “Dog bits, dog and cat food, toys, cat toys, dog toys. I was really happy that people gave money to give,
like a hundred and something dollars to the animal shelter.”
A compassionate girl, she sees value in animals fot more than obvious reasons.
“I love them not just because they’re cute, but because they help people,” she said. “Like if someone is blind, they can help them go the right way or protect you from danger.”
As sweet as it sounds, her views are quite marture for a nine-year-old, and for every birthday she says she’ll have the same request.
“I want to do it everyday. Every time I have a birthday party I want to ask for donations,” she said.
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