CAMBRIDGE — At 13, Victoria Saunders could boast about the $46,000 she's helped raise for the Cambridge Humane Society.

But she doesn't.

Instead, she modestly talks about her other fundraising work at Hespeler Public School, or sessions as a volunteer teacher at her modelling school, or her hopes to win the Junior Miss Canada Galaxy Pageant in Ottawa next month.

"Some of my friends ask why I have to do everything," Victoria says.

"I like to be busy."

Since Victoria entered the Little Miss Cambridge pageant in 2002, she's adopted the motto "kids can make a difference." That pushed her to run bowl-a-thons to help the animals.

April was her last bowling event because she's now too old to run a children's event as she readies for Jacob Hespeler Secondary School. When Victoria turns 16, however, she plans to volunteer at the animal shelter.

Victoria was a member of the Hespeler Public School student council and was asked to join the "global issues campaign" enrichment program. Out of that grew her idea for a schoolwide effort that raised $8,000 to build a school in Sierra Leone, Africa.

Victoria graduated with honours from Grade 8 last month and received the school's leadership award. This summer, she'll volunteer again at the Popcorn House youth centre.

In September, she's eager to dive into Grade 9, intramural sports --- basketball and volleyball, especially — drama, music and student council.

Victoria is perplexed when asked why she does all the things she does.

"It makes me feel happy. I do it because it's just the king of person I am. I want to be busy and want to help out."

There's no ego in the room. Victoria only talks about satisfaction in doing good things for people, while admitting she'd like to be starring in Hollywood movies by the time she's 24.

"We're encouraging that: keep your feet on the ground," mom Cindy says.

"I've always thought I'm just average," Victoria adds, shrugging her shoulders.

While Victoria has studied modelling and acting, the Galaxy pageant is a new experience, she said.

It's not a beauty pageant. Instead, it's all about ability to talk with strangers, engage them in conversation and act as an ambassador for your hometown.

"It's a social pageant," Victoria said.

Before the judging starts, Victoria can polish her social skills as she goes knocking on doors to raise the $1,500 needed for her Ottawa trip.

She also hopes clothing stores will dress her in the evening gowns she needs.

Denny, Victoria's dad, sells medical packaging for a living. She'd be great in sales with her skills, he said.

"I think she does it so naturally, she doesn't know what she does."

Victoria, while good with people, has much to learn before she could take dad's job, he said.

"She has to deal with the tough stuff, the confrontations. She has to learn it. She will be better than me."

Call 519-249-0670 to help Victoria's fundraising effort.