For her 12th birthday, Maryland girl collects 500 cases of water for Puerto Rico victims

FORESTVILLE, Md. - Instead of receiving gifts for her birthday, a selfless Maryland girl is showing off her big heart and helping people in need affected by the devastation in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria and Irma.

Dashai Morton is a sixth grader at North Forestville Elementary School in Prince George’s County and she recently celebrated her 12th birthday on Tuesday. When her grandmother asked Dashai what she wanted for her birthday, the young teenager said she wanted to collect and donate 500 cases of water bottles for the victims in Puerto Rico.

With the help of her grandmother, mother and Dashai's school, they were able to collect 460 cases. To reach her goal of 500, Dashai used the money she received for her birthday to purchase the remaining 40 cases.

In addition to the water, Dashai also collected non-perishable food items, blankets, baby formula and toiletries.

If you'd like to help Dashai by contributing to her cause, contact the FOX 5 DC News Desk at (202) 895-3000 and we'll help put you in touch with her family.