Local 10-year-old donates money to Ijams

Addison donates to animal care at Ijams

It's better to give than receive, or so that's what Addison Smith believes.

Recently, she celebrated her tenth birthday and instead of gifts, Addison asked the 30 guests at her birthday party to donate money to Ijams instead.

Everybody loves Ijams, but even Addison was surprised by the amount of money donated to the nature center in her honor. A total of $415 was collected.

Addison wants the donation to go to animal care. The generous gift will go to buying the assorted food items that are used daily to feed the education animals—turtles, birds, frogs, snakes, opossum—taken to local schools and on display in the exhibit hall in the Visitor Center.

In tough economic times, every donation to Ijams is important, but the timing of this one is particularly meaningful.

Thank you, Addison! We applaud your philanthropic heart. You're a shining point of light. 


- By Stephen Lyn Bales