IQALUIT - On Dec. 10, six-year-old Maiya Nadrowski came to school and told her teacher she had an idea.

"She told me she wanted to raise money to buy presents for kids in the world who don't have any," said Neevee Wilkins, Nadrowski's Grade 1 teacher at Joamie School.

Maiya Nadrowski sits at a table during Joamie School's Christmas concert on Dec. 15 to collect money for her toy drive. The six-year-old Grade 1 student raised $1,500. - photo courtesy of Laisa Nadrowski

Wilkins said while the little girl's idea was a good one, they decided to scale it back to start with Iqaluit.

"A lot of people have a lot of money that they could maybe donate," said Nadrowski.

With a yogurt container covered in money signs, she stood in front of the entire school at one of their morning assemblies and told them about her project. She said she was "a little" nervous.

Wilkins said students who had spare change brought it to their class. A note went home in a school newsletter, teachers and staff pitched in as did family and friends

She stood up and spoke again about her project in front of at least 350 people who came to the school's Christmas concert on Dec. 15.

Before long Nadrowski had collected $1,500.

Wilkins said all year she and the students talk about people who are less fortunate in the school and the community and that the kids all have "huge hearts."

On Dec. 17, Nadrowski headed to NorthMart and Arctic Ventures to buy toys and gifts.

"I had fun getting the gifts," she said.

She said she bought many dolls, babies, cars, trucks, backpacks and hoodies.

Both stores gave the young shopper 30 per cent off of all her purchases.

Angel Tree organizer Dave Seamone at NorthMart told Wilkins he couldn't believe a six-year-old had raised all that money.

At Arctic Ventures, Wilkins said a lady gave Nadrowski an angel pin.

"She told her she's such an angel to the community, which was really beautiful," Wilkins said. Maiya's father Gerard Nadrowski said he and her mother Laisa are very proud.

"It was her all along who wanted to do it," he said.

One of Maiya's classmates even made her a card

thanking her for raising money.

A thank you to those who donated is needed, said Maiya, who plans to collect money next year.

"I'm happy I could help others."