At 8 years-old, Layla True is young for a 4th/5th grader. Her heart, however, is big enough for someone twice her size.

For the past five years, True has dedicated her life to serving others. She has volunteered for countless organizations, including Operation Christmas Child, Ronald McDonald House, the humane society, the pediatric floor at Memorial Hospital in South Bend and Relay for Life, to name a few. She has hosted

Each year, True has two birthday parties: one for family, and one for friends.  She asks her friends to bring cash donations for the charity of her choice in lieu of birthday gifts.

“I ask my friends not to get me gifts and instead donate to a charity,” she said. “Most of the time I pick one charity. This year I’m going to do the pediatric department at Memorial Hospital.”

True is also founder of her own charity, the Green Bean Store.

“It’s a recycling store. I try to find items that I can redo and resell, and 25 percent goes to charity,” she said.

True has donated over $600 to various charities and over 80 books to local schools and libraries.

“I like that I get to help other people and make them happy,” she said.

Layla’s mom, Kim, said she has brought her daughter along with her volunteering since she was three years old.

“She has been raised in a family of volunteering. It’s kind of just a way of life for us,” said Kim. “I love seeing how much she’s grown and how passionate she is about it, so I encourage her to do as much as she can.”

Layla’s volunteer efforts and repurposed items for sale can be found at Facebook.com/TheGreenBeanStore.