One Renton teen made her 16th birthday extra sweet by enlisting others to give generously to the Seattle Humane Society.

Amanda Keppler, who’s been a long-time supporter of the organization, asked friends and family to donate money in lieu of presents for her birthday party, Dec. 7. The Hazen High School freshman collected $579, which will help buy food and supplies for animals at the shelter.

Amanda has attended the Seattle Humane Society’s summer camp for three years in a row. She also adopted her pet cat Juno from the organization.

“She realizes what it’s like to have a tough start,” said her mother Debbie Keppler.

Amanda was born three months and three weeks premature. Her weight fluctuated below one pound after she was born. She was even the subject of a cover photo for a Regence Blue Shield campaign.

Her mother Debbie describes Amanda as very social with a love of animals. Amanda’s mother first proposed the idea of collecting the donations for Amanda’s birthday and Amanda agreed it was a good idea.

“She understands how important it is to help the homeless animals until they get adopted,” Debbie said.

More than 80 people attended Amanda’s birthday party at a local cinema, where she had a box set up to collect donations.

The Seattle Humane Society is a nonprofit and entirely run from donations. It receives donations from its online fundraising campaign “People Helping Pets,” and from donors such as Amanda, who collect cash and checks.

“It’s such an incredibly generous way to help pets in need,” said Amande Walde, media relations associate for the Seattle Human Society.

The organization is grateful for such donations, especially from someone Amanda’s age.

“Her funding really goes a long way,” Walde said, citing the feeding, housing and vet care such donations supports.