A child showed altruistic love by asking for birthday gifts not for herself, but for animals up for adoption.

Adele Stillion turned 8 last weekend, and instead of asking for gifts, she asked guest to bring food for animals at the Belmont County Animal Shelter.

"There was a commercial that made me cry about because there's these doggies -- this doggie only had one leg missing, and it was really sad, and I told my mommy I want to do something about it," Adele said.

So for her birthday, Adele said, "We told everyone on my invitation to bring doggie food."

She ended up with a carful of donations, which she and her family delivered on Friday.

Adele's mother, Brianne Eddy, said it was all her young daughter's idea to help the animals.

"She decided that she wanted people to bring the pets food instead of presents. She told me that she has enough presents and toys at home, that she really didn't need a whole lot more, so we were very proud of her," Eddy said.

Adele said she was sad at first when she didn't get gifts, but while unloading the food and toys, she realized it was worth it to help the animals with a kind gesture that will go a long way for the shelter.

The shelter has more than 90 dogs that need homes, said Lisa Williams, assistant dog warden in Belmont County.

"It's a lot to take care of. It's a lot financially to take care of, so we're busy all the time," Williams said. "Usually kids they want things, but she wanted for our animals and that's just fabulous," Williams said.

Eddy said her daughter may end up helping the shelter more than once. Since other kids have heard about her idea, they've planned to do the same thing for their birthdays.