When you ask most kids what they want for their birthday you usually get the same requests for the latest toys and video games, but a little girl in Tonawanda asked for a different type of gift this year. She asked for donations to the local animal shelter.

At Ariella Popovich’s 5th birthday party, instead of gifts, she requested her guests bring donations for the local animal shelter. So, as fifteen kids filtered into her house for the party, Ariella received gifts of dog food, cat food, treats, toys and other pet supplies!

“Honestly, going through the gift bags of donations was just as exciting to her and I as getting a bunch of gifts!,” said mom, Jessica Popovich.

This hasn’t been Ariella’s first time donating to a great cause. In December, she went with her mom to return pop bottles and used the money to purchase animal treats and supplies to donate to the SPCA.

Ariella’s family also takes part in a foster care program for animals. The Popovich family takes in animals for a few weeks until a good home is found for them. So far they’ve fostered a cat, several kittens and a puppy from places such as Diamonds in the Ruff, Buffalo Humane, and the SPCA.

If WNY takes a lesson from Ariella the world could certainly be a better place! WNY Woman is proud to have such a fine young lady with a huge heart in our midst!

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