Delco 5 year old donates birthday money to charity

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (WPVI) -- For most kids, birthdays equal a lot of gifts, but one local five year old has decided to do something extraordinarily special with his.

Sam Burns gave all of the money he received at his August birthday celebration, all $369 of it, to scholarships for children of first reponders who have died in the line of duty during Sunday's 'Delco Run for Heroes.'

Councilman Dave White made sure to honor Sammy before the start of the race.

"It's amazing when a 5-year-old can teach us all," said White. "Giving back to the community doesn't start when you're 20, 30 and 40... It starts at five.

Sammy's mom said he wants to be a police officer when he grows up, so naturally he wanted to give the money to the police department.

"We just called and said we have money and for them to do what they want with it," she said. "They were so nice to us about it."

The crowd sang a special rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to Sam before the race.

Mom said even though his birthday won't happen again until next August, Sam is already planning his donation for next year.

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