Benny Arends finds opportunity to cheer up sick children

We've all seen the stories about kids suffering from cancer or other life-threatening diseases. Maybe you have donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or another pediatric medical system.

But one local boy wanted to take the good will a step further.

Benny Arends, 6, was recently featured in a story by Marybeth Niederkorn for his efforts to cheer up children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital.

"I don't want kids to be bored and I want to follow God," Arends told the Southeast Missourian.

So when his birthday arrived he asked that guests bring donations for the kids instead of him. That resulted in 1,100 items donated to St. Jude's.

Then it was a garage and bake sale to help further the cause. And Benny, with help from his mother Melinda Arends, set up Kids 4 Kids. Melinda Arends is working with a law firm to establish the organization's not-for-profit status.

Now the mom and son duo are working on other opportunities to collect donations. A dropbox will be set up at the coffee shop STA in Cape Girardeau and other fundraisers are in the works. Keep a watch out for the Kids 4 Kids of SEMO Facebook page.

Benny Arends has a good heart. It's admirable to want to help others, and it's clear he finds joy in giving. Hats off to him and other children in the area who do similar campaigns. Whether it's ringing a bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas or skipping birthday presents to help others, each act of kindness is important.

Well done, Benny. Don't lose that selfless spirit.