Friends, family and members of the community came together Sunday to help a little 5-year-old girl who needs a new heart.

Novalie Nguyen has ventricular septal defects, or “holes in her heart.” She was diagnosed with this a couple of years ago.

Novalie's doctors said the holes would clear up on their own, but after a doctor's visit last year, Novalie's family was told she needed a heart transplant.

To help offset the financial strain of a new heart, Team Novalie held a pancake breakfast with Santa, bringing them closer to their fundraising goal.

"Our goal is $65,000. Within four months of time, we have raised more than $36,000. And that's not including proceeds from today,” said Jenni Antinore, Novalie’s Aunt. It’s been a phenomenal response from the community, from family and friends. There are people here we don't even know, anonymous donors. People from across the state are donating and finding her story online."

The money goes into an account managed by the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). The family can access the funds for transplant-related costs.

To learn more about Novalie and her journey, visit Heart for Novalie.