A special birthday wish

Keisha Waterman is a nine-year-old with a heart of gold.

The Grade 4 student from Labrador City celebrated her ninth birthday Sept. 27, but instead of the latest Hannah Montana fad or a new pair of shoes, all Keisha wanted was a donation to the charity of her choice.

"I raised money for Daffodil Place," she said softly. "My friend did it (in April). I thought it was a good idea. A lot of family members and other people need Daffodil Place."

Keisha learned about Daffodil Place while doing a project in Grade 3 and after her friend Emily raised money for the cancer facility at her birthday party, she wanted to do it too.

Her mom, Krista, said Keisha consistently mentioned raising money for Daffodil Place after the party and while she knows her little girl is a generous soul, she was surprised she decided to follow through on her plan.

"I figured it was jut one of those fleeting ideas, but the fact she remembered it long after and kept on talking about it was surprising," she explained. "Keisha is a caring and compassionate person anyway - she'd rather be helping out than sitting around - so I shouldn't have been surprised."

Keisha said she likes helping her mom, especially in the kitchen, and even on the day of her party, she was asking if she could do anything to help.

According to the young girl, her birthday party was tons of fun with lots of cookies, cakes and chocolate and vanilla cupcakes decorated in fall colours, and they even had a game of pin the leaf on the tree - an autumn spin on pin the tail on the donkey.

She even received a few presents - some cookie cutters, an icing pen, two shirts and a pair of pants - but she's most proud of the money her friends and family donated.

Keisha ended up with a grand total of $130 and said she's happy she'll be able to help some people with the money raised from her birthday bash.

Her mother couldn't be more proud of her daughter.

"Her aunts and uncles were blown away that this is want she wanted for her birthday," Krista said with a smile. "We're all so proud of her. She's so sweet."