For Her 12th Birthday, DaShai Morton Collected 500 Cases of Water for Hurricane Irma and Maria Victims in Puerto Rico

For her birthday, she didn't want gifts or money. Instead, 12 year-old DaShai Morton decided to collect 500 cases of water to help the victims in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Irma and Maria.

The sixth-grade student celebrated her 12th birthday on Oct. 10 and told her grandmother that she didn't want a party or gifts -- she just wanted to help others in need.

Dashai visited Puerto Rico on a cruise with her grandmother before the storm hit the island and remembered that it was a beautiful island. She couldn't bear seeing the aftermath of the storm. So, she decided to help.

DaShai_Morton_The_Everyday_Lemonade_Project_Give_Back_500_black_girl_lemon.JPG — The Everyday Lemonade

DaShai Morton x Project Give Back 500

With the help of her family, friends and school, DaShai started the initiative #ProjectGiveBack500 to rally for donations for the island. In just two weeks, she surpassed her goal. But instead of stopping, she continued to collect water through the end of October and has collected over 3,000 cases.

12 year-old DaShai Morton standing in North Forestiville Elementary School with over 500 cases of water she collected in donations for Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico.

Forestville student helps DaShai Morton pack water donations for Hurricane Irma and Maria victims in Puerto Rico.

DaShai Morton with her younger sister helping for Project Give Back 500.

DaShai Morton with her family (left to right): Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother.

DaShai's project garnered the attention of local news stations including Fox 5 and ABC 7, the Prince George's County Board of Education, and major media outlets such as Vibe and BET. Support from her project has poured in from many states and in her local community. A 12 year-old girl has inspired people younger and older than her to spring into action and give back.

DaShai Morton interviews with local Fox 5 news station.

DaShai Morton interviews with local ABC 7 news station.

During our visit with DaShai, a local fire station visited the school to help her move and load cases of water.

A local resident, watching the morning news, was so moved by her on-air request for support for her project, that she made an immediate trip to the school to meet DaShai and present her with the one thing she didn't want, a birthday gift.

Donations will be accepted through the end of October at North Forestville Elementary School in Forestville, Maryland.

At the end of the donation drive, the cases of water will be donated to the American Black Cross' warehouse in Dallas, Texas. The supplies will then be shipped to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Although DaShai's #ProjectGiveBack500 is coming to an end, her giving back spirit will continue.

"I'm going to keep helping," said DaShai. "I'm not going to stop because there are still other people in need."