Girl celebrates 7th birthday by helping homeless

CAMDEN (WPVI) -- Young Mia Montgomery celebrated her 7th birthday by helping those in need.

She helped feed over 300 homeless men and women Monday night at the Life Assembly Ministries for Christ in Camden.

Her desire to do this came three months ago while on a trip to New York where she saw homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk, something she had never seen before.

"When I went to New York, I saw the homeless on the floor and it broke my heart, so I wanted to do this," Mia said.

"It just upset her to know that we're walking and we're about to go to a beautiful 49th floor apartment and it just didn't sit well with her," Mia's mother Melissa Montgomery said.

She then asked her mom if instead of celebrating her birthday on December 19, could she give up all her birthday presents and use the money to feed the homeless.

"She wanted to feed the less fortunate; she wanted to give back, she didn't need a party," Melissa said.

Melissa told family and friends on social media that in lieu of birthday gifts, Mia wanted the money to feed the homeless.

Mother and daughter did feed a lot of families in Camden as Mia was quick to observe.

"A lot of people came in here eating. Moms, dads, babies, other people, they got really happy," Mia said.

Mia didn't ask for anything for her birthday, but the church did give her a birthday cake with the scripture, 'a little child shall lead them.'

In closing, Mia had one message for the rest of us.

"Merry Christmas and help everybody in need," Mia said.

"And we really appreciate everybody that cared to help me with her birthday blessing; it's an amazing thing that she's doing and she's letting everybody know that Christmas is still alive," Melissa said.