Youngsters inspire

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Youngsters inspire

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The Arthritis Foundation's Fairview Heights Arthritis Walk restored my faith

in humanity. Last weekend, I was working registration when a little girl,

probably 9 or 10, walked up to the table and, with the most pride I have

ever seen, set down a plastic Ziploc bag with change, an envelope full of

dollars and a fistful of the stars we sold for $1 each. " I raised $100, " she

said. I proceeded to thank her over and over again. I asked her how she did

it.

" Well first I had $6, and then my dad raised $12 at work, and then I got a

$20 bill, " she said with a smile. " Pretty soon I just raised $100. "

Then I looked down at the bag and almost cried. Written in marker was

" GiGi's money. " The little girl explained that she had raised money because

she heard about our hero of the year, Illinois child le " GiGi " ,

who was diagnosed with painful, devastating arthritis at age 2.

I have worked for the Eastern Missouri Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation

for a little more than a year and have heard cute stories, but this one

particularly touched my heart. This little girl is proof that even though

times are tough, fundraising and giving back still can be accomplished.

The chapter thanks everyone who made our first Arthritis Walk in Fairview

Heights a huge success. Thanks to our committee members, sponsors,

fundraisers and children - just like that little girl - we raised almost

$13,500 for arthritis-related research, programs, services, advocacy efforts

and juvenile arthritis programs. This was the last of four spring walks we

held to raise money so that one day we can find a cure for this devastating

disease.

Stangl | St. Louis County

Public Relations Coordinator, Arthritis Foundation Eastern Missouri Chapter