June 3, 2005 — Kids everywhere are helping out around communities. These children have done things such as volunteering, raising money for patients with cancer, even helping out at the local YMCA. Whatever the reason may be, whether it's to help the ill or just to put a smile on someone else's face, it's nice to know that children can make a difference in the world.

"This year North Star was overwhelmed by nominations for the award," Lindsey Murtagh, manager of the North Star Program, said. "I think it is a tribute to our youth (aged 6–17) that we received so many stories detailing their heroic efforts. Our community is built on the efforts of unsung heroes."

A Massachusetts community honored its young heroes in the annual North Star Hero Awards. Amber LaFountain, a youth leader in the Brayton Hill neighborhood, was chosen one of the area's finest volunteers. For the past five years, the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition has been able to count on this important volunteer to help organize and lead activities in the neighborhood and wider community, including last summer's Voter Awareness project, National Night Out, and dozens of other special projects, all of which benefited from her leadership abilities.

tells the story of five more young heroes, including six-year-old Justin Beany, who participated in a program called Pennies for Patients.

"On his own initiative he asked his parents if he could do chores to earn pennies. He vacuumed, washed dishes, emptied the trash, swept the kitchen, cleaned his room and made his bed" to earn money to help sick children.