CUMMING -- For the second year, a Forsyth County elementary school student raised money for animals in need.

Earlier this month, 9-year-old Madison Thieke, who is getting ready to enter fourth grade at Cumming Elementary School, donated more than $2,000 she raised at a second annual yard sale to the Dawsonville Humane Society.

“My goal was $1,500, and I got $2,275,” she said.

Thieke raised the money through selling items and donations from those who came to the yard sale and presented a homemade ceremonial check for the donation.

She worked to raise the money with her grandmother, who lives in Dawson County and explained to her the importance of no-kill shelters, like the one to which she donated.

“When I moved down here, she was 5 and I introduced her to the animal shelter in Dawsonville and explained to her that it was a no kill shelter and no matter what happened they wouldn’t put the dogs to sleep,” said her grandmother, Suzzie Thieke. “I explained to her that through people donating money and doing things that keeps that going.”

Though she might be young, Thieke has earned a lot of experience helping the shelter.

At age 6, she collected and recycled cans in her neighborhood to raise money and the following year held a bake sale, along with her grandmother, at a family member’s yard sale, earning more than $200 for the shelter.

The next year she wanted to try something new.

“Last year, she wanted to do bigger,” said her grandmother. “She and I decided to do a yard sale.”

“Last year, I raised $1,225,” Thieke added.

Leftovers from the yard sale were donated to the society’s resell shop.

Thieke’s fundraising doesn’t stop with the yard sale.

“I used my birthday money and my Christmas money and walked dogs and I bathed dogs,” she said. “I made $376.”

“She has a heart of gold, and she loves animals,” Suzzie Thieke said, adding that Madison’s younger brother was starting to help out, as well. “They go in and love on the cats and feed the cats … and give them attention they don’t get. We just started walking dogs a little bit.”

Thieke said she doesn’t plan to stop doing things for the animals.

“I want to help all of the animals and help all of the animals find homes,” she said. “I really like animals and I just like helping them; it makes me feel good inside.”