An old hat at giving: Boy's charity effort earns award

By The Associated Press

Last Updated: Dec. 24, 2002

Suamico - Eleven-year-old Anthony Leanna already knows a thing or two about giving this holiday season, and a national group will recognize his charitable efforts today with an award.

The honor comes from the Points of Light Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting volunteerism set up in 1990 by the elder President Bush.

The foundation is recognizing Anthony's Heavenly Hats program, which he organized in April 2001 to provide hats to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who have lost their hair.

"My grandma had cancer," said Anthony, whose grandmother recovered. "And Mom told me about people losing their hair."

The sixth-grader will receive a plaque and congratulatory letter from Bush and the current President Bush. The foundation recognizes volunteers and programs each weekday of the year with its Daily Points of Light award.

Anthony began his program by printing fliers on his computer asking people to donate hats. He distributed the fliers throughout downtown Green Bay, at area malls, during events and among organizations.

It took about six months for word of the program to spread, but since then he's received about 6,000 hats - including some from as far away as Australia.

"The other day, the NFL sent about 300 brand-new hats," he said. "I didn't know they were coming, (the league) just sent them."

The Wisconsin Great Lakes Fishing Classic and Girl Scouts in Georgia also sent hats.

Anthony packages the hats and delivers or ships them to hospitals in need.

He earns money to pay for the packaging and shipping by mowing lawns and doing other chores. His parents, DeeAnn and Glen, also chip in.

Anthony said he does not know how long the program will last, but he might consider setting up a non-profit organization if he keeps receiving donations.

"I'll keep it going as long as people keep donating," he said.

For more information about the Heavenly Hats program, call (920) 434-2107.