Abby O’Donnell celebrated her 10th birthday a little differently than most kids. The party itself was not unusual; Abby went bowling with several of her friends. What differed from the typical festivities was the gift wish list.

In her party invitations, Abby specified that gifts brought to the party should not be for her, but for the Pell City-based organization Lifting Spirits. This nonprofit collects and distributes donations for senior citizens living in nursing homes; they are currently collecting for the holidays.

Abby learned about this organization through her grandmother, Argo resident Debbie Horton McCloud’s, support of the mission. The idea to collect gifts for Lifting Spirits instead of herself was all Abby, though.

“She chose Lifting Spirits as the charity that she wanted to collect donations for,” McCloud said. “It was all her idea, she was the one who brought it up and made the decision.”

Deferring birthday gifts like that was not a one-time thing for Abby. At a previous birthday party, she requested that all guests bring 10 canned food items in lieu of a gift. These were donated to the Argo Food Bank.

So, what would make a 10 year old give up birthday presents so that others could have gifts? Abby’s grandmother says it comes from her loving heart and generous spirit.

“We are so very proud of her,” McCloud said. “She did not mind giving her presents up at all, she loves to give to others.”

All her party guests happily honored Abby’s request. McCloud said that everyone who came was incredibly generous and happy to come alongside Abby in her mission to brighten other’s holidays.

Lifting Spirits was very appreciative of the gesture. Every donation counts, but having such a sizable donation from such a young supporter was very touching for the organization’s staff.

“This was a lot for a little girl to do,” Lifting Spirits Founder Ivy Pattillo said. “To give up her own gifts for the purpose of others, that is such a touching thing to do.”

Pattillo didn’t have a final count on the amount of gifts that came from the birthday party, but would estimate the total to be around 40, possibly more. The gift items ranged from blankets to personal hygiene items and more.

“The picture doesn’t do it justice,” Pattillo said. “Each bag is filled to the brim with items from our list of needed donations. The amount that was donated just tickles us.”

For more information on Lifting Spirits and to find a list of recommended donations, find the organization on Facebook at Facebook.com/LiftingSpirits4Elders.