Churches and individuals have come up with creative ways to raise money. Potlucks, plant sales, walk-a-thons, concerts—the list goes on and on. But in the fall of 2005, 8-year-old Briton Nordemeyer of Brandon, South Dakota, thought of something new.

It all started when she lost her tooth. Briton had heard about the victims of hurricane Katrina, and wanted to help the little children who lost all of their possessions. So, she decided to donate the money the tooth fairy would bring for her missing tooth to the local chapter of the Red Cross.

Instead of waiting for the tooth fairy to arrive, however, Briton mailed her tooth to the Red Cross. She included a letter explaining her desire, and her confidence that the tooth fairy would render payment upon arrival.

When news about Briton's generosity reached the public, the Red Cross received a $500 donation from an anonymous donor who had heard the story and wanted to help provide a fairy-tale ending.