After all, it is one of life's milestones.

But Evelyn Wright turned that expectation on its head when she asked family and friends who wanted to give her presents to give instead to Legacy.

The response was $1704 for the organisation that looks after the widows and children of deceased Australian Defence Force personnel.

Evelyn, a Flight Lieutenant with the Royal Australian Air Force, was motivated to make her request by experiences during her Middle East deployment during which a number of ADF personnel were killed in action.

She said there were plenty of deserving people who depended on Legacy for assistance.

"Our ADF personnel cannot do the jobs they do without the support of loved ones at home, holding the fort and getting on with life as best they can while their loved one is deployed," Evelyn said.

The individuals behind every serving member are equally as important to support and care for.

"They are the ones who keep the home fires burning."

Evelyn, who turned 40 on Friday, has been redeployed to Canberra but made her donation to Legacy before leaving Wagga.

Legacy thanked Evelyn for her donation with a large chocolate birthday cake.

Her funds will be used in the Wagga district to assist war widows and their dependents.