Hometown Heroes: Girl forgoes gifts, collects goods for those in need

Harper Henry is just like any other 6-year-old girl.

She loves to color, play outside, and swing in her front yard.

But Harper has also been through a lot in her short life. Her dad has stage four lymphoma and has been in and out of the hospital for several months.

"It's made her sad to know that he's by himself going through this," said Harper's mom, Whitney.

Harper has done everything she can to cheer him up.

"We sent him cards, videos and pictures and we also made a little note to send to daddy," said Harper.

But she still wanted to do more, not just for her dad, but for other families dealing with illness.

"She came home from school one day and was very concerned and overwhelmed that these people were away from their homes and they didn't have their toys and their things while their loved one was in the hospital," explained Harper's mom.

So Harper decided to make a pretty big sacrifice. Instead of getting presents for her birthday, she asked for donations to give to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa.

"I want to be kind to them and give stuff to them to make them feel happy," said Harper.

Harper's mom was a little worried at first. After all, what little girl doesn't want gifts on their birthday?

"She's a very tender-hearted little person. She's really concerned about others, but it's just blown me away that she had this idea," said Harper's mom.

Harper hoped to collect 25 items, but she got a whole lot more: An entire room full of stuff including food, toys and toiletries.

Harper's good deed has brought happiness to the whole Henry family.

"It's an uplifting moment for our family. It's been a very rough go and a lot of dark days. It's been quite a bright light in the middle of all that."

Harper has since dropped off her donations to the Ronald McDonald House, and they even took her on a tour of their Tampa facility.

She says she's already planning her next good deed.