Local girl's birthday party goes to dogs on The Murfreesboro Post

Sidebar Ads

Local girl's birthday party goes to dogs

Related Articles

Kelton's to host fun-filled charity event

Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards grant to Smyrna Public Library

VITA Sites produce $492,000 in tax refunds to local residents

Weekend Planner: Barfield Park holds annual Beach Party

WEEKEND PLANNER: JazzFest returns to Murfreesboro

Celebrate history Southern style

Interfaith opens new clinic

Autism Speaks fundraiser to be held at Riverstone Saloon

TBR will honor Jones Foundation to work in community

Chuck E. Cheese supports RCSO's 9/11 memorial

View All

By: SARAH FRYAR, sfryar@murfreesboropost.com

Posted: Sunday, February 27, 2011 6:12 am

Local girl's birthday party goes to dogs | Living, Charity, PAWS, Emily Preistley

Emily Preistley celebrated her birthday, not with presents for herself, but with presents for the animals at Rutherford County Pet Adoption and Welfare Services. (Photo submitted)

They say every dog has its day; a brief moment in life when everything looks up.

The dogs and cats of Rutherford County Pet Adoption and Welfare Services (PAWS) finally got their day earlier this month, thanks to a local girl's selflessness on the most important day of her year.

On Feb. 12, Emily Preistley celebrated her fifth birthday.

Those on the guest list for her gymnastics themed party, however, were given a specific and unique instruction inside their invitations. Emily wanted bags of dog or cat food brought to her annual bash in lieu of gifts, so she could then donate them to the animal shelter.

"In the invitations we just put a little note that said 'Santa's been so good to Emily that this year she wants to give back to others'… It's a way for people to still feel like they can bring something, but it eliminates the need for them to bring a gift," Emily's mom, Elizabeth Preistley said.

Elizabeth first came across the concept when Emily attended a birthday party for an older friend.

At the party, the kids participated in a service project by preparing after school snacks for other children.

She thought it was a fantastic idea, so she suggested it to her daughter.

It took some explaining and negotiating in the beginning, though, before Emily warmed up to the idea.

"Initially, she was hesitant. You know the big thing was she got to choose the charity. Right off she wanted to help PAWS because we go there and walk the dogs for fun. She loves animals and wants to be a veterinarian so we talked about how much animals need," Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth reassured her daughter that she would still get presents from her parents, just not at the party. She also emphasized how much Emily would be supporting the cause.

"It took us a little while to convince her, but at the end she was very excited about it," Elizabeth added.

To fill the time that would have originally been occupied by the opening of gifts, Emily and her guests loaded decorated goodie bags with dog treats for the families who come through and adopt pets from the shelter.

"[PAWS] said they hadn't had a birthday party donate to them. They praised her quite a bit and were really surprised that she would give up gifts for herself. It made her feel really special," Elizabeth said.

It was a hit with parents at the party too.

Several informed Elizabeth that they plan to adopt the idea for their own children's birthdays.

The Priestleys also plan to incorporate donation into their two-year-old son's upcoming birthday by contributing to the library and hospital in support of his fascination with books.

"We feel like if we do this when they're young then they will come to expect that at parties we'll donate and afterwards we'll come home and open two or three presents from the family," Elizabeth explained.

So far, the idea of giving 15 bags of pet food to animals in need has made an impact on Emily.

"On her own last week, she said she wanted to donate some of her toys to kids who didn't have toys. We were really proud because typically she's all about what [she] can get next," Elizabeth laughed. "That's what we're trying to get away from." MP

Tagged under Charity, Emily Preistley, Living, PAWS

Member Opinions:

By: canalou on 2/27/11
This child is learning one of the msot important lessons of life, giving and sharing with others.

By: publius on 2/27/11
What an awesome kid her parents be very proud of her. Elizabeth Happy Birthday.