Wisconsin girl raises money for charity on her birthday

ONALASKA, Wis. (AP) – An 11-year-old western Wisconsin girl has established a tradition of asking people to donate to designated causes instead of giving her presents on her birthday.

The La Crosse Tribune reports that the most recent beneficiary of Olivia Konrardy-Buchal’s birthday wish was the La Crosse Collaborative to End Homelessness.

Olivia’s birthday is Dec. 30. She began the donation tradition four years ago. The Onalaska girl raised $100 for the collaborative for her 11th birthday, topping the $90 she raised for orphans in another country the previous year.

Julie McDermid is the collaborative’s project manager. She says officials were so impressed with Olivia’s initiative that they’ve named her an unofficial member. McDermid says Olivia has been tasked with designing thank you cards to give to donors.

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Information from: La Crosse Tribune, http://www.lacrossetribune.com