Dedicated kids do the darnedest things

The generosity and dedication of kids can sur- prise you. This year, several school-age children organized their own fund-raisers to help the Hutchinson Center fight cancer. Here are three admirable examples:

Jenny Mohr, 14, of Clallam Bay, Wash., has organized her own personal walk-a-thons for the Hutch each of the last four years to honor friends and family affected by cancer. So far, she has raised more than $2,300. She started in 1998 by walking three miles and raising $300. Last year, she convinced five other kids to join her for a 30-mile walk that raised $1,200. This year, she plans to walk 33 miles with a group of friends.

Earlier this year, students at Hudtloff Middle School in Lakewood, Wash., held a dance and a car wash to raise money in honor of one of their teachers who had been diagnosed with cancer. The events generated more than $1,200 for Hutch cancer research.

Having seen family and friends suffer from cancer, Anneka Gerhardt, 11, of Seattle, organized a coin drive through her St. Joseph's Montessori School newspaper. Spare change totaling more than $300 was donated to support research at the Hutch.