Too young to volunteer, Minn. girl gives big check to Children's Hospital

This week, 9-year-old Julia Pobuda gave a check to Children's Hospital for more than $3,000. It was just her way of saying thank you to all the doctors and nurses who treated her rare condition, and she's already looking forward to her next fundraiser. 

While many of her friends enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, Julia is showing gratitude by writing a personal letter to her network; a request for donations to help sick kids at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Because she used to be one herself.

At the age of 5, she was diagnosed with a rare form of asthma triggered by viruses. During her stay, Julia says the doctors and nurses made it a comfortable, calming environment. When she got better, she wanted to volunteer. However, you have to be at least 14 years old. At the time, she was only 7, but instead of throwing in the towel, she decided to start a fundraiser.

"I was getting happy because I knew I could raise money to do fun things while I wasn't there with them," Julia said.

She did chores around the house and raised about $500, and gave it to the hospital. The following year, she went online and asked people to donate and brought in more than $2,000. This year, she held a massive garage sale, and came up with $3,122.25 on the nose. She personally delivered the check this week.

Raising all this money is not an easy task and her mom is trying to temper expectations, but Julia says until she gets older and can personally go in to cheer up the kids, this is her way of giving back and saying thank you. 

"I dreamed that I would be coloring with the patients, and that will happen soon," she said.