An eight-year-old Williams Lake girl is spreading cheer through the true meaning of Christmas.
For the past four years, instead of receiving gifts for her birthday on Nov. 19, Piper Kosolofski has chosen to give back to the community.
“I’ve been donating money, clothes and food by collecting at my birthday parties instead of getting toys,” said Piper, who is a student at Sacred Heart Catholic school.
After her birthday parties she delivers what she’s collected to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an organization devoted to promoting and performing works of charity through personal service.
“It’s cool,” Piper said.
“I like doing it.”
Piper’s mom, Debi Kosolofski, said her daughter also regularly goes through her old toys to donate to the society.
“For her birthday parties, Piper doesn’t like to leave people out and really, the only way I’ll allow her to invite 30 people to her parties, is for her to do it this way because 30 people is really a bit excessive (to receive gifts) from,” Debi said.
For her party this year, which she held at Cariboo Bowling Lanes, Piper had about 18 friends attend.
Piper said this year she collected $145 and, last year, donated $150 and four full boxes of toys and food.
In the four years she’s been doing this Piper said she’s donated more than $500 to the society.
“I’m not a very big fan of toys,” Piper said.
“This way I can help people out.”