Kids are giving back and making a difference

Many young kids across the country are looking at ways to make a difference in the lives of others. Some choose to forgo their birthday presents, others raise money through bottle drives, or even shave their head for cancer. But one little girl from central Alberta is doing it all.

11year-old Kayla Rosie of Sylvan Lake has been fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society for the past two years. She started at the age of 9 after one of her grandmothers, who was suffering from cancer, had to be put in a hospice.

"I just saw there was lots of people in the hospice for different reasons," Kayla says. "But I saw that there needs to be some changes and there needs to be a cure."

Since then, instead of birthday presents each year, which she says she doesn't really need, the Fox Run Middle School student has been asking for money. The donations she's received have made her one of the top fundraisers for the Canadian Cancer Society's "Fundraise for Life" program.

And that's not all. In 2010, she chopped off 10 inches of her hair to create wings for cancer patients. Kayla still wanted to do more, though.

"So I decided to actually shave my hair and get people saying this is actually a great cause, I think we need to help out a little bit more."

Kayla's goal is to raise $1 for every person in Sylvan Lake for a total of $11,115.00. On her fundraising page she writes about doing it for her Grandma Rosie who passed away from cancer on April 11:

"She won't be able to see me complete my goal or shave my head but she will be with me in spirit. I have a long ways to go and hope I can get there but will need your generous support with corporate donations, bottle donations, etc. I know my grandma is proud of me already but I would like to honour her by reaching my goal."

For Christy Ravndahl of the Canadian Cancer Society, it's kids like Kayla who make her excited to come to work every day.

"It's so great to see young people getting involved and so passionate about the cause," she says. "Anytime there's a little kid that's fundraising, it's tough to say no to a little girl that want to shave all of her hair off."

Kayla's actions have even been inspiring others, including her sister.

"She cut her ponytail and she loves her long hair, so I think that's pretty incredible she did that," Kayla says. "And my other friend she's collecting food donations. It's different but it's still helping people that need help."

It's not just the Cancer Society that is benefiting from the kindness of kids. All kinds of charities are - from the SPCA to the Food Bank. Kayla thinks fundraising is a trend that's catching on with kids her age.

"I think they're realizing that we already have iPods, iPhone, iPads... what else do you need...you have pretty much everything and other people don't even have a doll to play with, or clothes to wear or shoes."

To help Kayla reach her fundraising goal click here.

With files from Erin Chalmers, Global News