Sixth-grader raises $1,000 for leukemia patient

Whitefish Middle School student Katy Dolan, 12, organized a benefit raffle recently that raised more than $1,000 that will go toward her life-long friend's battle with leukemia.

Shelby Howke had a relapse of the disease at the end of March and is now at the Seattle Children's Hospital undergoing treatment. She will be in Washington for at least six months undergoing chemotherapy, and travel expenses are expected to pile up.

After a meeting at Dolan's parents' house discussing fundraising ideas for the Howkes, Katy suggested to her parents, Doug and Stacy, the idea of raffling a prize basket to middle school students.

With the help of Bear-grass Gardens, Dolan Family Vision and Moun-tain 3 Cinemas, Katy put together a prize basket with an iPod, three movie passes, candy and other goodies.

Katy sold tickets for two weeks, raising $1,004 in the process, and awarded the basket to sixth-grade student Austin Reese on the last day of school.

"I've known Shelby since she was born, and we're really good friends with the family," Katy said. "I just decided to do a little fundraiser to help the family out, and it worked."

Katy said selling tickets at school was pretty easy and she raised more money than expected.

"I expected to get $200, then somebody bought 200 tickets," she said.

And while Shelby is a close friend, Katy said she would have tried to lend a hand to any of the kids at school if they were going through cancer treatment.

"Even if it was anybody, it's good to help out," she said.

The money she raised was put into the Shelby Howke Medical Fund at Glacier Bank.

Another fundraiser event for the Howke family, "Have A Beer For Shelby," is scheduled for June 23 at 6 p.m. at the Great Northern Bar. Flathead beverage donated a keg, and the bar is donating the space for the event. A beer will cost $5, and the money will go into Shelby Howke's medical fund.

Visit online at shelbyhowke.com to learn more about how to help.