It's funny what you can do with rocks, a bit of paint, a big heart and a dose of creativity.

With just those tools, 9-year-old Corie Fox, a 4th grader at Long Elementary, makes it a point to pay it forward.

Corie is the creator of Toothy Rocks, her pet rocks "line" she currently sells at Modern Vintage Decor on Gravois. She's been selling Toothy Rocks at the shop and previously at Peridot prior to its closing.

Why pet rocks? "I saw it on TV and started making them outside," Corie said. "I really got the hang of it."

Corie said the idea to sell them to benefit a cause just "popped" into her head.

Corie's mom, Donna Fox, helped her get involved with Peridot and then Modern Vintage to start selling the painted stones with personality at $1.50 apiece. Donna said she and Corie narrowed down the option to send all the proceeds to the Crestwood Animal Shelter.

After more than a year and what Corie says "a million" of the pet rocks made, she's ready to make a donation.

"This donation is great -- every little bit helps," said Mary Wheat, a volunteer at the Crestwood Animal Shelter. "It helps us adopt the animals out and put them into a home where they belong."

Wheat said Corie's donation will benefit the Friends of the Animals fund, which covers veterinarian bills derived from shots, spaying and neutering, and worming of rescued animals.

As Donna made the final count of Corie's earnings from Toothy Rocks sales, Corie's eyes widened and a bigger smile leapt to her face.

"That's a lot!" Corie said, as Donna announced the total at $91.25 for the animal shelter.

"This will help a lot of kittens," Wheat said, tallying about 25 to 30 animals currently in the shelter's care. 

Corie said she will continue to make Toothy Rocks and hopes to keep benefitting the shelter.

As Corie learned, a little creativity can make a big difference.