LANCASTER – A 6-year-old girl decided to forgo birthday presents recently and instead made one of the largest donations to the Fairfield Area Humane Society.

Ashley and James Waits, the parents of Violet, said their daughter told them about a month ago she did not want birthday presents, but wanted her birthday party guests to bring donations for the Humane Society.

Ashley said, people were “shocked a 5-year-old doesn’t want toys for her birthday.”

Violet had her birthday party on Feb. 2 at Rule 3 in Pickerington. Wendy Moore, Violet’s grandmother, also posted about this on Facebook and people in the community reached out to donate. In addition to what her guests brought to the party, community members brought donations to Moore’s house throughout the week.

Ashley said, on top of donations, birthday party guests also brought toys for Violet.

On Friday, Violet and her parents went to the Humane Society to donate, cat and dog food, animal toys and cleaning supplies. James estimated 300 pounds of dog food and 100 pounds of cat food.

Violet started off shy when they showed up to the Humane Society but quickly warmed up as she played with the cats and visited with the dogs.

The family has one dog, two cats — all rescues — and two guinea pigs.

Ashley believes the idea may have come to Violet from her time as a kindergartner at Fairfield Christian Academy, where she sees examples of raising money and donating.

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James said Violet “might try to one up this next year.”

“It’s always great to see the young kids, because it helps teach them to give back to the community,” Jennifer Myers, shelter manager at the Fairfield Area Humane Society, said. “This is one of the largest (donations).”

It is not the first time someone has made a donation for their birthday to the society.

Myers said they receive donations every day, and they appreciate any kind of donation because that is how they run.

“We are not run by the county, so all donations,” Myers said. The FAHS also apply for grants when they can, and local businesses make donations.

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