ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) -- At just 7-years-old, Olivia Isaacs held her first fundraiser by going door-to-door, collecting donations, and telling the community about her cause with a flier she created. Her first fundraiser in 2018 was for Gently Hugs, a non-profit who collected clothing and supplies for new mothers in need.
After that approach worked, the following year in 2019, it was rinse and repeat. This time around, helping a non-profit called Soles for Souls.
"They send shoes and clothing to countries facing poverty to help adults create a business to sell those items. With that, they become self-sustained instead of just giving away donations," Olivia's mother, Carmen, explained.
Over the years, not only was Olivia growing into a bright young philanthropist, but so was the overall mission and real understanding of the difference she was making.
"I know Christmas isn't about getting but giving," Olivia said.
So when 2020 rolled around, so did her wagon of fliers once again. This time she rang doorbells from a distance, fully masked, and told neighbors about her newest fundraiser for Rancho Coastal Humane Society, raising dozens of canned foods, pet toys and over $600 for the animal shelter.
Whether it's shoes, clothes or toys she's collecting nothing is going to get in the way of this 9-year-old's tradition that gave Olivia a whole new meaning of the holidays.
"Next year I was even thinking of helping older people maybe with their trash cans, or whatever they need."
